A campaign to make Tonbridge a more dementia friendly community is gathering momentum.

More than 100 people have joined Dementia Friends in recent months. The national intiative is run by Alzheimer's Society - the UK's leading dementia support and research charity.

The scheme has been adapted by independent funeral director, Christine Parker, from Abbey Funeral Services, in partnership with the Tonbridge Town Team community group.

Miss Parker started the campaign following her personal experiences of supporting people with dementia.

Over the past six months the group has engaged with local businesses across Tonbridge from launderettes, hairdressers, bowl clubs to a local Methodist Church.

The aim is to ensure people living with dementia in Tonbridge feel more understood and supported by improving the understanding of the condition in the local community.

Miss Parker said: “Dementia affects people in communities across the UK but unfortunately there is still sometimes a stigma associated with the condition which can lead to sufferers feeling isolated and lonely.

“Here in Tonbridge we now have a very dedicated group of ‘Dementia Friends’ working to make our community more dementia friendly. I am delighted with the support we have received which has helped us achieve so much in such a short space of time and our number of ‘Friends’ is growing every day.”

The group has organised special events in Tonbridge to discuss dementia and last week 34 members of the local Tonbridge Lions Club became ‘Dementia Friends’.

Dementia friends are encouraged to volunteer, campaign for change and visit family members and friends who live with dementia.

Tonbridge and Malling MP, Tom Tugendhat, who is passionate about dementia awareness said: "Dementia Friends in Tonbridge are an important part of our community.

"By ensuring that as many as possible in our town understand the needs of people with dementia and those who care for them, I hope we will all be able to play our part in the way our society responds – and that is what we are seeing in Tonbridge. Dementia is the silent time bomb and I am working will many different dementia groups to offer the support needed.”

For more information visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk.