Get involved

Dementia Friends – creating dementia friendly communities together

Dementia Friends is a national initiative that is being run by Alzheimer's Society (external link). It's funded by the government, and aims to improve people's understanding of dementia and its effects. Alzheimer's Society is working with lots of volunteers and other organisations to achieve this goal. Because, together, we can create dementia friendly communities (external link).

People with dementia sometimes need a helping hand to go about their daily lives and feel included in their local community. Dementia Friends is giving people an understanding of dementia and the small things that they can do that could make a difference to people living with dementia.

Dementia Friends is funded by the Cabinet Office and Department of Health.

  • cabinet office
  • department of health

How can I get involved?

lady with elderly lady

You can get involved as a Dementia Friend or a Dementia Friends Champion.

A Dementia Friend learns a little bit more about what it's like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into action - anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend. 

A Dementia Friends Champion is a volunteer who encourages others to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in their community. They do this by giving them information about the personal impact of dementia, and what they can do to help. 

It's easy to get involved. Dementia Friends Champions attend induction session, receive support as they need it, and are part of a growing network of people creating dementia friendly communities together.

There are many other ways you can help create a more dementia friendly community.

lady chatting to elderly lady

Dementia Friends

We want there to be one million Dementia Friends by 2015 all using their understanding of dementia to create dementia friendly communities. Every action counts.

"We go and do the things together that we enjoy and we work on Sue's garden together." Wendy, friend of Sue who is living with dementia

What is a Friend?
lady with elderly man

Dementia Friends Champions

There will be thousands of Dementia Friends Champions leading the Dementia Friends initiative helping to create dementia friendly communities together.  

"Everyone was so passionate about Dementia Friends, and I can't wait to be involved in the work." Dementia Friends Champion, Earle Noel, Buckinghamshire 

What is a Champion?