Somerset County Council is asking everyone to help make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia.

In the UK, one person develops dementia every three minutes, yet too many people living with dementia face the condition alone and feel excluded from their local communities and wider society.

Dementia Action Week, led by the Alzheimer's Society, is taking place next week [21-27 May] and Somerset County Council is calling on everyone to come together and help create a 'dementia-friendly' County. There are lots of activities and events around the County that will help families affected by the disease.

Carolyn Arscott, Public Health Manager, at Somerset County Council said: "We are supporting Alzheimer's Society's movement for change this week and calling on individuals and companies to pull together to help create a 'dementia-friendly' county where people are included and supported to live as they choose.

"We want more people to sign up to be a Dementia Friend across the County; there are already over 12,500, which is fantastic! To sign up to be a Dementia Friend, visit http://www.dementiafriends.org.uk. You can find sessions to attend listed under 'find an information session' or you can do an online session. We also have many towns in Somerset which are dementia friendly, and have formed a total of sixteen Dementia Action Alliances now."

Councillor Christine Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing at Somerset County Council said: "It's the simple steps we take to help others that add up to make a big difference overall. A day out shopping in Somerset with a 'dementia friendly' bus driver, bank, supermarket assistant, or hairdresser all treating a person with dementia with understanding, patience and tolerance is the difference between them living the life they want or one trapped at home."

There are also lots of events and activities around the county taking place where you can learn more about dementia, including information stands and singing sessions from Alzheimer's Society, and activities in Wellington organised by Reminiscence Learning.

Alzheimer's Society in Somerset can provide you with information and details of local services and support, they can be contacted on 01458 251541 or through the website http://www.alzheimers.org.uk.

People with dementia are also at an increased risk of poor oral health, so anyone who supports someone with dementia is encouraged take a look at a free, short e-learning module to learn how to look after their mouth. To sign up just email [email protected]

Taking place in Somerset:

This year Alzheimer's Society will be holding an open house at Singing for the Brain – St James Church Hall, Taunton on Tuesday 22nd May at 10.30 – singing at 11 o'clock. They would welcome anyone to come and listen to us.

Taunton Dementia Action Alliance will have a stand at the Orchard Shopping centre during Dementia Action Week on Thursday 24th May 11.30am – 4pm. There will be cakes and information available for people living with dementia and their friends and family.

Alzheimer's Society are running information stands on the following days: 21/5/18 10am-12midday, Wilkinsons Store, Yeovil.

23/5/18 and a Singing for the Brain session 9am – 3.00pm, Wells market

23/5/18 9am – 4.00pm, EDF shop Bridgwater

25/5/18 10am – 4.00pm, Yeovil District Hospital

Reminiscence Learning, specialising in Dementia Care, Activity & Reminiscence will be distributing Archie mascots with a dementia awareness message around Wellington local shops and businesses. Other events taking place in Wellington: –

Home Instead are hosting a coffee morning at the Counting House – Tuesday 22nd May.

Forest School – Dementia Awareness Trail – Tuesday 22nd May at Otterhead Forest School (closed group)

Red and Yellow Fitness for Fun – Wednesday 23rd May at the Counting House

Memory Café and Garden party – Thursday 24th May at the Counting House

Red and Yellow Singing and Cycling – Saturday 26th May – 10am – 1pm outside old Post Office in Wellington

'Common Different' Exhibition, The Island Bristol Gallery, Nelson Street, Bristol from Tuesday May 1st – Saturday May 12th. As part of the exhibition they are donating 10 per cent of any sales to the Taunton Dementia Action Alliance.