DEMENTIA champions across Manningtree and Tendring are holding events to mark national Dementia Action Week.

Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST), as part of its work with Dementia Friendly Communities, is bringing together organisations to provide dementia awareness events.

The aim of the events is to support those living with dementia and their families as well as promote the services available.

Yvette Wetton, head of infrastructure at CVST, said: “For this year’s Dementia Action Week we wanted to bring together as many of the services and organisations together as possible under one umbrella.

“Being diagnosed with dementia can be a worrying and isolating experience, but we want to let people know there is so much in this area to help you.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Support - Outgoing Manningtree Mayor said the town was one of the first dementia-friendly towns in the countrySupport - Outgoing Manningtree Mayor said the town was one of the first dementia-friendly towns in the country (Image: Manningtree Council)

Councillor Michelle Taylor, and outgoing Mayor of Manningtree, added: "Manningtree has become a dementia friendly-aware town, the first in Essex and also one of the first in the country.

“A lot of the town’s restaurants are dementia friendly as well as shops and are ready to welcome people living with or supporting those with dementia.”

Events for Dementia Action Week start early with a coffee morning for Singing For Pleasure To Aid The Memory at Mistley Church Hall in New Road, Mistley, on Friday May 10 from 10.30am to noon.

There will be singing with Graham Long, refreshments, a raffle and cake and book stalls, with entry being £2 per person.

CVST’s Dementia Cafe, meanwhile, will welcome members on Wednesday from 10am to noon at Imperial House, Rosemary Road, Clacton, costing £1.50.

Then on Friday May 17, there will be a free concert of Jupiter Singers at Frinton Free Church at 2pm, and a free dementia information session delivered by Age Well East at the Electric Palace in Harwich from 10.30am to 11.30am.

A dementia advisor will be available at the event for any support or advice needed.

CVST will also launch a new group starting on May 31 called Mind the Music, a dementia friendly singing group costing £2.50 a session, at Kennedy Way Community Garden in Clacton.

To find a full list of regular dementia friendly groups and activities visit cvstendring.org.uk.