MORE than 1,600 people across Cheshire East have rallied to the call to become ‘Dementia Friends’ since the national campaign was launched in the borough by Coronation Street actress Judy Holt in June.

The campaign is about recruiting and training people to spot the tell-tale signs of dementia among family and work colleagues so that help and support can be delivered at an early stage.

Leader of Cheshire East Council, Councillor Michael Jones, said: “Within three months of launching this campaign we have over 1,600 people who have volunteered to help others by being trained to spot the tell-tale signs of dementia, a cruel disease.

“We want to promote a concerted community effort to support individuals with dementia, spot the give-away signs and lead organisations and businesses towards a corporate social responsibility policy which involves them in a developing a support network to help those with dementia or showing early signs of dementia.”

Judy Holt, who also stars in the police drama Scott and Bailey, became a champion of the national campaign to create awareness of dementia following her role as Lesley Kershaw in The Street.

She added: “I am so pleased that so many people and organisations in Cheshire East are responding to the call to be a part of such an important campaign.

For more information, visit dementiafriends.org.uk/Home/About