Matthew has pledged to take action to support the 800,000 people living with dementia across the UK.  

Alzheimer’s Society campaigners were in Westminster to drum up political support for their trailblazing Dementia Friends initiative that launched in February this year. Dementia Friends aims to help people understand what it might be like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action. Alzheimer’s Society is aiming to have one million Dementia Friends by 2015, to help make England more dementia-friendly and improve the lives of the 650,000 people currently living with the condition.

Matthew joined 200 other MPs and representatives from Alzheimer’s Society in Westminster to provide a handwritten statement of the action they will take to support people with dementia and their carers. Matthew pledged to tackle the stigma attached to dementia, help ‘Dementia Friends’ in his constituency and work with Alzheimer’s Society to improve support for people with dementia.

Matthew said: “One in three people over 65 will develop dementia. Dementia is a growing problem and a health issue that we can no longer afford to ignore. That’s why I’ve signed the pledge to raise awareness and understanding of dementia and support the Alzheimer’s Society ‘Dementia Friends’ initiative which aims to improve the lives of people living with the condition.”

If you are interested in becoming a Dementia Friend or helping create more communities that are dementia friendly, go to www.dementiafriends.org.uk to find your nearest information session or to volunteer as a Dementia Friends Champion.

Matthew is pictured with Alzheimer's Society supporter Arlene Phillips