Web winners connect people with dementia across the world

Members of the West Kent branch of the Alzheimer's Society set up the world's first Alzheimer's Forum, a unique website run by people with dementia for people with dementia to share their thoughts and communicate with others from across the globe. The scheme has been chosen from hundreds of applicants to receive an AOL Innovation in the Community Award.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society says,

'It is fantastic that the hard work and vision of the members of the West Kent branch of the Alzheimer's Society has been recognised with an AOL Innovation in the Community Award. People with dementia often feel isolated by their experiences, and this unique forum is a fantastic way for those living with dementia across the world to come together and share their experiences.'

As winners of the AOL Innovation in the Community Award, the West Kent branch will receive £2,000, plus a year's free AOL Broadband Gold subscription. The award will be used to promote the website to other groups of people with dementia across the UK, and to encourage them to get connected to the Alzheimer's Forum. It will also enable the group to transform their weekly meetings as some of the money will go towards a large wall mounted interactive screen - enabling more people with dementia to access the forum.

John, a member of the award winning group, says,

'I was diagnosed with dementia two years ago. Being part of the computer group has made an amazing difference to my life; it has made me realise that I am not alone, that there are many people living with dementia across the world. I am delighted that our work has been recognised by AOL and Citizens Online, and hope that this award will allow us to spread the word about the Alzheimer's Forum so that more people with dementia can benefit from the site and communicating with each other.'

John Fisher, chief executive of Citizens Online, added,

'The level of innovation never fails to amaze us. The Internet is clearly very beneficial for charities and community groups and this year's winners have realised its potential in some extremely creative ways. They have looked beyond the obvious to create valuable projects that have clear benefits for their community.'

For further media and press queries, contact the Alzheimer's Society presss office.

Notes for editors

• The Alzheimer's Forum website is http://www.alzheimersforum.org/.
• The awards scheme was set up by AOL UK and the national charity Citizens Online to encourage community groups and charities to make the most of the Internet and is now in its third year.
• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
• The computer project is just one of the activities run by the West Kent branch of the Alzheimer's Society. The branch also runs day centre services, a befriending scheme and carer support groups.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease. 
• Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80.
• There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
• Our website address is http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.