Copeland MP Trudy Harrison and her team have signed up to become Dementia Friends to help change the way people think, act and talk about dementia.

Training was delivered by Jan Fotheringham, a community connections worker for Age UK West Cumbria, at the MP’s Bootle constituency office.

Trudy said: “It was an informed and quite emotional session as we all reflected on our own close family connections with dementia.”

The team signed up to take part in the initiative after Trudy met with Jan as part of Dementia Action Week. They learned about the five key messages of dementia: that it is not a natural part of ageing; it is caused by diseases of the brain; it is not just about losing your memory; it is possible to live well with the disease and that there’s more to a person than the dementia.

Trudy said: “This training on how to become a Dementia Friend by Jan was really important and I would encourage businesses, groups and individuals to sign up and take part to help change the way we all think and act towards a person who has dementia and also the people who care for them.”

Jan, a dementia champion, who is based at Egremont’s De Lucy Centre, said: “It was great to work with Trudy and her team and to help spread the key messages about dementia. People can live well with dementia, but they just need a little help to do that.”

Anyone who would like to take part can contact Jan and the community connections team on 01946 828100 or email jan.fotheringham@ageukwestcumbria.org.uk for further information.