As part of Dementia Awareness week, Dudley Council is hosting a number of events to raise awareness of the condition and the support available to sufferers and their carers.

An joint open day is being held by Dudley Archives, the Library Service and the Dementia Gateway Service on Saturday 21st May, as part of Dementia Awareness Week for carers of people with dementia.

The event will be held at the Dudley Archives building on Tipton Road, Dudley between 10am to 4 pm and will offer a “market place" where people can find out about the support available to them. There will also be a tour of the archives building and a discussion on local history.

There will be opportunities for people to participate in Dementia Friends sessions as well as workshops for carers and reading groups for people with dementia. Advisors from the Dementia Gateway Services will also be on hand to signpost to information and advice services.

In addition, Dudley’s three Dementia Gateways based in Halesowen, Coseley and Brierley Hill are also hosting a series of events. Activities across the week act include tea dances, laughter yoga, pub sing-a-longs and film matinees. Tony Oakman, strategic director for the people directorate at Dudley Council, said:

“We are keen for people to be aware of all the help and support that is out there for people with dementia and their carers. Working with our health and community partners, our vision is to deliver a high quality, and integrated dementia service for people.

“There is no doubt that dementia is on the increase; the more people that are aware of the signs of dementia and know what support is available in the borough, the better prepared we are to ensure that we keep independent and well as we all get older.”

For more information on Dudley’s Dementia Gateways people can go to dudley.gov.uk/dementia.