A charity for people with dementia hopes to have signed up 125 new 'friends' by the end of today.

Essex County Council, working with the Alzheimer’s Society and Chelmsford City Council, held a Dementia Friends Marathon Day, running sessions throughout the day at Chelmsford Library.

The day – which was supported by an information stand in the County Hall atrium and the Alzheimer’s Society mobile unit in Chelmsford High Street – aims to recruit Dementia Friends within Essex County Council, Chelmsford City Council, the public and local businesses with the long term goal of developing Dementia Friendly communities across Essex.

With a higher than average population of older people, it’s estimated the number of people with dementia in Essex could increase to as many as 35,000 over the next decade.

That’s 10,000 more people with dementia than the entire population of Witham, for example.

Councillor Anne Brown, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Healthy Living, said: “The statistics in Essex show we need to act now to strengthen our communities to help people with dementia to continue to live life to the full.

“By attending a session you will become aware of the signs to look out for, and how to help, sometimes simply with a little greater compassion and understanding in your dealings with people who may be struggling with day-to-day activities such as shopping, ordering food and catching the bus.”