ESSEX County Council is celebrating the launch of the pan-Essex Dementia Action Alliance with a Dementia Day on Wednesday, 20 January.

To mark this special day, over 45 events will be held across Essex in all 12 districts to signify the dedication across the county to support, improve and transform lives and develop communities that are inclusive to people living with dementia.

Libraries, care homes, shopping centres, hospitals and high streets from Harlow to Clacton and Witham to Colchester will all promote their commitment to build and develop a dementia friendly network across the county, where people in Essex get together to work to reduce the stigma surrounding the condition and strengthen our community’s response to dementia.

It is estimated that over 850,000 people in the United Kingdom have dementia and that there are currently 20,000 people living with the condition in Essex, a number that is set to rise to 30,000 by 2025.

Cllr Dick Madden, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Children, said: “With dementia predicted to increase by 38 per cent in Essex by 2021 demand for services in relation to dementia is one of the biggest issues facing health, social care, and the voluntary sector.

“We need to work together across Essex to ensure that the health of people with dementia is managed and improved.”

Cllr Anne Brown, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Healthy Living, said: “The statistics in Essex show we need to act now to strengthen our communities to help people with dementia to continue to live life to the full through good health and well-being.

“By encouraging and inspiring a society-wide response to dementia, this will enable those with the condition to live well in a dementia friendly environment where they are supported and understood.”

Geoff Moore, Dementia Action Alliance Coordinator at the Alzheimer’s Society said: “We are delighted to support the launch of the Pan-Essex Dementia Action Alliance. It is really helpful when county wide organisations come together to support the work taking place on the ground in districts and local communities to make those communities more dementia friendly.”

For full listings, please visit: www.livingwellessex/news or contact Helen Crumley – [email protected] or 07872 869428 to find out more about events in your area.