Alzheimer's Society is recruiting people across the area to become dementia friends and help sufferers of the condition.

It is training people so have they have the knowhow to help people with dementia feel understood and included in their communities.

People with dementia have told the charity they often lose friends and feel isolated so it has come up with the scheme to increase dementia awareness and change the way the nation thinks, talks and acts.

The charity’s east region operations director Kate Moore said: “People with dementia want to remain independent and engaged in their communities by continuing to socialise with their friends and family and be as active as possible.

“As the brain gradually shuts down, people with dementia sometimes need a helping hand to go about their daily lives and feel included in their local community which is why the dementia friends initiative is of such importance and will help to improve the quality of life for someone living with dementia.

‘We can’t do this alone.

“By volunteering to become a dementia friends champion you can help spread the word about dementia friends in your community.

“Join dementia friends today and help create more communities that are dementia friendly.

“Go to dementiafriends.org.uk to find out more about dementia friends or to volunteer as a dementia friends champion.”