The biggest ever social action movement to change perceptions of dementia is today (Saturday 21 February) celebrating creating one million Dementia Friends.

With nearly two thirds of people with dementia experiencing loneliness and almost half reporting to have lost friends after their diagnosis, Dementia Friends was launched in February 2013 to tackle the stigma and lack of understanding which means that many people with the condition can face social exclusion. The initiative, which is jointly run with Public Health England and funded by the Cabinet Office and Department of Health, combines face to face Information Sessions and online videos to help people learn more about dementia and the small things they can do to make a difference.

Dementia Friends has harnessed the energy of individuals, communities and organisations to challenge stigma around dementia across the whole of society. There are currently more than 9,000 Dementia Friends Champions, volunteers who have dedicated an estimated 100,000 hours of time to creating grass roots change in their communities by running Dementia Friends Information Sessions.

To date, businesses including Marks & Spencer, Asda, Santander, Lloyds Pharmacy, easyJet, Argos, Homebase and The Royal Bank of Scotland have encouraged their staff to become Dementia Friends. They join schools, the police, the fire service and transport providers in a concerted effort to build a dementia-friendly society and support people with the condition to take part in their local community.

Celebrities including Ruth Jones, Alesha Dixon, Ruth Langsford, Eamonn Holmes and Pixie Lott have also become Dementia Friends and helped front a TV advert urging the public to do the same. The Cabinet, the leader of the opposition, Ed Miliband, and more than 100 MPs have taken part in Information Sessions too.

As part of a long-term commitment to help more communities and businesses become dementia-friendly, Alzheimer's Society has set an ambitious target of creating four million Dementia Friends by 2020.

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Society, said:
"We are beginning to change for the better the lives of people with dementia and their carers. More research and improved health and care services are fundamental to the work of Alzheimer's Society. But the real revolution is the one million ordinary people who have chosen to become Dementia Friends. In communities across the country, they are working to eradicate the isolation, fear and despair felt by so many affected by dementia. Dementia is our biggest health challenge and the British people are rising up to tackle it."

Gary Whiting, 61, was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2012. He lives in Surrey with his wife, Jackie. He said:
"My diagnosis was a real shock, but it also allowed me to better understand what was happening to me when doctors took the time to explain the effects of the disease. I'd lost my concept of time and shopping was becoming very difficult because I'd go out and buy too many things I didn't need. I'm determined to remain as independent as possible. Over the years I've noticed that dementia awareness has increased and I've had some really positive experiences in local shops with kind and patient staff. Dementia Friends is a great initiative - I think sometimes people don't understand the day to day realities of dementia, and taking some time out to understand how it can affect people is very important."