ORGANISATIONS such as colleges are being offered the chance to take part in a programme aimed at helping improve people’s understanding of dementia.

The invitation follows officers from Bridgwater Police Station receiving training to be Dementia Friends Champions.

Inspector Mark Nicholson said: “We see the role as an extension of community policing and supporting vulnerable people on our patch.

“We have joined forces to run ‘Dementia Friends Information Sessions’ for local policing teams and neighbourhood watch groups to help them actively engage with people living with dementia.

“Being a Dementia Friend is about taking little actions such as to behave patiently with someone showing signs of dementia, spending more time with a relative affected by dementia, fundraising or generally raising awareness.

“This will help our community to be more dementia friendly and bring people closer together.”

If you would like Mark and the team to come and run a Dementia Friends Session within your neighbourhood watch group or organisation, contact 101 and ask to leave a message for Mark Nicholson.