Dementia Support Line
Engaging with MPs and candidates about dementia in the lead-up to the 2015 election
From the April 2015 issue of our magazine, Alzheimer's Society has MPs and parliamentary candidates in our sights to make sure that the next Westminster government prioritises dementia as an issue after the general election 2015.
Alzheimer's Society campaigners are engaging with MPs and parliamentary candidates in their local constituencies in the lead-up to May's general election.
Having identified over 100 seats to target in particular, we're encouraging MPs and candidates to become Dementia Friends, inviting them to visit services and giving local people affected by dementia the chance to meet with them.
Rebecca Daniels in north-east London said:
'Volunteering has given me the chance to make a difference by ensuring that dementia remains high on the agenda with local MPs and candidates. I've been surprised by how receptive they are to meeting local people, becoming Dementia Friends and spreading the word through social media.'
Campaigners have met with candidates and MPs in over half of all constituencies so far and signed up 120 MPs as Dementia Friends.
Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam in south London, is a Dementia Friend working to form a local dementia action alliance. Guy Opperman, MP for Hexham, Northumberland, is also a Dementia Friend and joined people who want to make his constituency dementia friendly in a specially-designed assisted walk.
Nancy Platts, candidate for Brighton Kemptown, visited our Singing for the Brain service in Brighton Museum, while Bury St Edmunds candidate Jo Churchill visited a peer support group to find out more about the priorities of people with dementia and carers.
Find out more and get involved or call 020 7423 3580.
