This week is National Dementia Action Awareness Week 19 -25 May 2025, led by Alzheimer’s Society. By 2040 it’s expected that 1.4 million people will be living with dementia. This condition has a huge impact on individuals and families, it’s confusing and challenging and support can seem out of reach.

But there is support out there. We’ve been reflecting on how we can make a more dementia friendly society and community is key. Without community we’re on our own, especially for those that don’t have family or friends near by to help us spot the signs, or help navigate a diagnosis, and if we do, we can’t ignore the challenge it is for them to cope with caring for a loved one alone.

Access to support and knowing where to get it is critical for everyone. But at the start of a dementia journey it can feel impossible to know where to begin. A GP is the first step, and local NHS Trusts will have specialist teams you can contact directly, the local authority can help with links to some services too,  and search for services like community transport that can also step in to help with shopping and days out, they also have links to lots of local groups that might be able to help.

Our shopper bus and trips out are a way of enabling those with dementia to stay independent for longer, and to get the most out of the place where they live, with support and friends they can tap into regularly. Contact, community, and frequency can be a lifesaver for those living with dementia.

By working together we can support each other better.