A HOSPITAL has organised a week of events to raise awareness of dementia to staff and visitors.

Nearly 1,000 dementia friends have signed up to the Alzheimer's Society scheme run at Basildon Hospital by Jane Gilby, the trust's lead dementia nurse.

The hospital hopes the initiative will ensure patients living with dementia have a better overall experience when they visit for treatment.

The milestone is just one way in which dementia awareness week was celebrated, with fun events such as a singalong with the Basildon Hospital trust choir, selling crocheted butterflies and special dementia friends sessions including one for members of the public, one at Orsett Hospital and one at Basildon police station.

There were also more information giving events, including carers' information via the Basildon Hospital Library, and a meet the team event for patients, carers and visitors to meet experts.

There was also an exclusive showing of Inside Out of Mind, a special film made about dementia within the NHS on Saturday.

Ms Gilby said: “It’s been a fantastic week raising awareness of dementia and recognising the support for the work the trust is doing for those patients living with the disease.

“I’m so pleased to have almost hit the 1,000 dementia friend mark. The more awareness we can raise about dementia, the more understanding, patient and compassionate we will become as a society.

"Dementia affects 1 in 14 people over the age of 65. It’s something most people will have first-hand knowledge of.

“I also want to thank Christine Pearcy who has helped raise over £400 in just two days for the trust’s Butterfly Appeal, by selling hand crocheted butterflies she had made to sell. And with more being sold.”

The dementia friend initiative aims to provide people with an insight into what it is like to live with dementia by attending either a face-to-face information session or watching an online video.

To find out more about dementia and becoming a dementia friend, visit alzheimers.org.uk.