KIDDERMINSTER Dementia Action Alliance has been selected as a finalist in this year's Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Friendly Awards.

The Kidderminster group has been picked as one of three finalists in the Dementia Friendly Community of the Year category - recognising villages, towns and cities that have taken action to ensure that people living with dementia are included in the community.

Barry McFarland, chairman of Kidderminster Dementia Action Alliance, said: "Clearly we are humbled and delighted at being shortlisted for the award.

"In just over 12 months we have gone from an idea to a fully functioning DAA working endlessly to fulfil our mission statement of making all communities in Kidderminster dementia friendly.

"We strive to increase dementia awareness in our area by promoting a great knowledge and understanding of this most cruel disease and working alongside other agencies to help those living with dementia and their carers to access the support they need.

"It is vital that people understand that there is life with dementia - dementia is not the end of the road. Life changes, but people living with dementia given support and stimulation, can and do have a fulfilled life.

"Our shortlisting has given us a buzz, a realisation that we are getting some things right and a great stimulus to continue to move forward with increase vigour and determination.

"I am proud to be chairman and feel most privileged to be working with so many caring, hardworking and dedicated individuals who enthusiastically give so much of their time and energy to improve the quality of life to those living with dementia and their carers."

Gill Read, services manager for Alzheimer's Society, added: "I am delighted that Kidderminster Dementia Action Alliance has been selected and this is evidence of the brilliant dementia friendly work going on in Worcestershire."

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on November 29.