What is a Dementia Friend?

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. Whether you attend a face-to-face Dementia Friends Information Session or watch our online video, Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help. From telling friends about Dementia Friends to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts.

Information Sessions

Dementia Friends Information Sessions are run by volunteer Dementia Friends Ambassadors, who are trained and supported by Alzheimer’s Society. Each Information Session lasts around one hour. You will learn more about dementia and how you can help to create dementia friendly communities. There are information sessions running across England and Wales.

Please note - public Dementia Friends Information Sessions (those that are open to book on this website) are only suitable for people aged under 18 if they are accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. 

For private sessions that are not available to book on this website, such as those run for pupils in their school, it is not necessary for under 18s to be accompanied by an adult.

Our online video

You can also become a Dementia Friend by watching our online video where you will meet Alex, Teresa and Emma who are all living with dementia and learn more about what it is like to live with the condition. Once you have watched the video you can sign up for your ‘Little Book of Friendship’, a resource pack which contains more information and tips on how we can support those living with dementia to feel a part of our communities

Turning understanding into action

After the Dementia Friends Information Session we would like you to tell us about how you are going to turn your understanding of dementia into a practical action. You don't have to commit to doing something time-consuming.  Every action counts.
Dementia Friends actions could include:

• Getting in touch and staying in touch with someone I know living with dementia
• Volunteering for an organisation that helps people with dementia
• Campaigning for change, eg by signing up to Alzheimer’s Society’s campaigns to improve the lives of people with dementia
• Wearing my badge and telling 5 friends about the Dementia Friends initiative
• Carrying out a personal action eg Be more patient when out in my community

Telling us about your dementia action

We want to use our website to capture the ways that Dementia Friends are helping to make life better for people living with dementia in their communities. Every action registered on this website will help us understand what Dementia Friends are doing to make life better for people affected by dementia.

Please join us and the million other people who are helping to change the way the nations thinks, acts and talks about dementia.