Franny Norton opens new dementia Roadshow in St Helens to provide lifeline to local families

Published 6 October 2011

Next Tuesday 11 October the UK’s first ever Dementia Community Roadshow will visit St Helens with local top jockey Franny Norton launching the vehicle.

With almost 61,000 people predicted to be living in the North West with undiagnosed dementia in 2021, Alzheimer's Society's Roadshow is a vital first step in providing much needed information and advice about the condition.

In Halton and St Helens Primary Care Trust there are currently over 3,100 people living with dementia and of those, over half (53 per cent) do not have a diagnosis.

The vehicle funded by Tesco, will be at the St Helens Tesco store on Chalon Way for two days, and will be open to visitors between 10am and 4pm. People who are currently living with dementia, are worried about a friend or relative's memory, or just have questions about the condition are encouraged to drop by with no appointment necessary.

A joint Mapping the Dementia Gap study published earlier this year from Tesco, Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland revealed huge variations in the numbers of people with dementia receiving a diagnosis around the UK. Within the North West Strategic Health Authority, a shocking 57 per cent of people with dementia don't have a diagnosis. In Knowsley and Blackburn with Darwen PCTs, 45 per cent of people don't have a diagnosis and yet this soars to 64 per cent in Trafford PCT. Many people delay seeking help because of low awareness of symptoms and treatments or fear they will lose their independence. But a formal diagnosis is vital for people with dementia so they can access drugs, support and advice to enable them to live well with the condition.

The Dementia Community Roadshow aims to reach 100,000 people over three years and will visit Tesco car parks across the UK spending two days at every store it visits. The Roadshow will help raise awareness, provide vital information and advice on dementia, direct people to essential local services and help bring people concerned about their memory one step closer to achieving a diagnosis.

Alzheimer's Society supporter Franny Norton, said:

'I know first hand the impact Alzheimer's has on families as my nan had dementia in the later stages of her life. I used to stay with her a lot when I was younger and in later years when I visited her she didn't know me - it's very sad.

I am extremely proud to support Alzheimer's Society and would encourage anyone with questions about dementia or memory to visit the Dementia Community Roadshow. It's so important for people living with dementia have access to all the help and support they need and deserve - nobody should have to face dementia alone.'

Helen Foster, North West Area Manager, Alzheimer's Society, said:

'It's really worrying that fifty-three per cent of people with dementia in St Helens don't have access to the help and support they need to live well with the condition. This partnership with Tesco has enabled us to establish a Roadshow that really is pioneering. It will help us reach out to communities, tackle stigma by raising awareness of the condition and encourage people who are worried about their memory to visit their GP.'

Josh Hardie, Tesco Head of Corporate Responsibility, said:

'With stores across the North West, we're really proud to help Alzheimer's Society raise awareness of dementia throughout the county. Our staff and customers have already been showing great support for our Charity of the Year and we hope that together we can build a better future for people with dementia.'

People can find out when the Dementia Community Roadshow will be in their area or can request the Roadshow visits a Tesco store near them at www.alzheimers-tesco.org.uk. If people are worried about their memory, or are affected by dementia, and the Dementia Community Roadshow isn't coming to their area soon, they can visit www.alzheimers-tesco.org.uk for further information and advice.

Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland are Tesco Charity of the Year 2011. Together they aim to raise £5 million and for each day of the partnership, aim to help 300 people live better with dementia. As well as the Roadshow, the partnership will fund new research and dementia support professionals to help those living with the condition.

Dementia and diagnosis rates for the North West Strategic Health Authority - see interactive map

The Roadshow is visiting the following Tesco stores in the North West: