THE first group of Tavistock volunteers is to be trained as 'Dementia Champions' next Thursday (October 17) at the town hall.

It is the next phase of creating a dementia-friendly community in Tavistock, which is the aim of the Tavistock Dementia Action Alliance (TDAA).

Such has been the response by individuals, local firms and groups that organiser Tony Parker is delighted with the numbers signing up — although he welcomes more to step forward and join up!

The alliance has recently been part of a national pilot process involving 12 communities who are taking up the challenge of the Prime Minister to create 20 dementia friendly towns and cities in the UK by 2015.

The town's dementia champions are all local volunteers who represent businesses, shops, churches and social groups.

Tony Parker, chairman of the TDAA, described their role as 'helping other people in the town understand a little bit more about what it's like to live with dementia'.

He said: 'Our champions will be able to reach most organisations in the town and once trained we will again be asking all local organisations to commit to becoming dementia-friendly, and then we will brief their staff and provide information to them.'

Each organisation or group will then be able to display a logo which will indicate to everyone that their staff or members of their group are 'dementia-aware.'

Tony told the Times: 'Often it is small things that can make a big difference to people with dementia and their families, such as befriending schemes or simply becoming aware of the signs and symptoms of the many forms of dementia.

'I think I should emphasize that a dementia champion is not an expert in dementia or dementia care, or a replacement for skilled, professional people such as nurses or care assistants, but after their training, they can provide a vital service and support to the organisations and groups to which they belong.'

'I am overwhelmed with the response so far from the people of Tavistock, the more people and organisations who join in the better for such an important cause.'

Among those due to attend on the day include Cathy Veale from Tavistock Police; town councillor Mandy Ewings; Gill Akaster lawyer Catherine Bailey; David Palmer of Tavistock Churches; Fay Nichols of Paladin Life domiciliary care; Chris Panter of 4Hire Taxis; osteopath Richard Simpson and financial advisor Christopher Palmer.

If other potenital volunteers, individuals or businesses would like to take part in future training sessions contact Tony on [email protected]">[email protected] or call 01364 631507.