SEVERAL organisations in Crediton have come together to work towards making the town "a place where people with memory loss or dementia, and their carers, can feel at home."

The number of people with dementia is steadily increasing, and it has been well described as the "loneliest condition in the world, confusing and sometimes frightening for patients and carers."

A Crediton steering group – made up of members of the local branch of Devon Senior Voice, the two Rotary Clubs, together with Alzheimer's Society volunteers and other community representatives – wants to increase awareness and understanding of dementia and remove stigmatisation.

At a Dementia Awareness Day in September they will launch their campaign to create a community that supports people with dementia and their carers to lead their daily lives in as normal a way as possible.

The group aim to create a network of local businesses, service providers, town organisations and charities who will be committed to an agreed action plan to help improve the quality of life for those with dementia.

The group will also reach out to others already involved, to provide information and publicity and identify funding and other resources within Crediton.

A weekly memory café – which will offer a friendly welcome for those living with dementia and their carers – is due to start at the Station Tea Rooms on Monday, September 23.

Julian Pratt, of the Rotary Club of Crediton, said: "We are delighted to be helping push forward these ideas.

"The purpose of Rotary is to help support its community and bring people together. Dementia could happen to any of us and we need to understand the symptoms so that we can help all those involved."

"Launching a memory cafe is an exciting stage in the life of the Tea Rooms and something I have been working towards for the last few years," said owner Linda Brown. "The station has always been about people and their individual journeys and as such, seems a fitting place to host a memory cafe."

Marion Pollinger, a volunteer with the Devon Alzheimer's Society, said: "I have been involved in promoting the new Dementia Support Service and raising general awareness and understanding of dementia.

"I have received comprehensive training from the society and look forward to sharing this new knowledge with the local community and businesses."

Ron Cuthbertson, of Devon Senior Voice, added: "This worthwhile project is very much a continuation of the work we have already done elsewhere in Devon, particularly a Dementia Awareness Day held in Harberton in March 2012."

The Crediton Dementia Awareness Day will be centred at the Boniface Centre on Friday, September 20, between 10am and 3pm, with registration from 9.30am. All are welcome.

For further information, please contact Mr Cuthbertson on 01363 775502 or email: [email protected]">[email protected]