A BEWDLEY church leader has expressed his support for a dementia project.

The Rev Keith James, rector of Bewdley and Wribbenhall, has called on members of the public to participate in the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme, which has been designed to increase awareness of what it is like to live with dementia.

This understanding can then be turned into simple, practical acts such as helping someone find the right bus or being patient in a till if someone with dementia is taking longer to pay.

Free information sessions on the initiative, which aims to recruit one million Dementia Friends by 2015 and improve the lives of the 670,000 people currently living with the condition, will take place on Tuesday, September 30 at 2pm and 7.30pm at St George's Hall.

Mr James said: ‘Less than half of us think we know enough about dementia.

"Dementia Friends is the perfect opportunity for people to improve their knowledge. It isn’t about creating experts, it’s about helping people understand a little bit more about what it’s like to live with the condition and then turn that understanding into action – anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend.

"Bewdley is a friendly place to live and I hope these sessions will help the town to be friendly for people living with dementia."

Nicola Jacobson, a Dementia Friends champion from Worcester who will be delivering the information sessions, said: "I signed up to be a champion because I wanted to make a positive difference to the lives of people living with dementia.

"It’s easy to get involved. I signed up through the website and attended a one day training course on how to deliver the sessions.

"I’m so proud to be part of a growing network of people helping to create dementia friendly communities across England."

For more information visit dementiafriends.org.uk