Local MP, Huw Merriman, met up with Dementia Support in Parliament today (Wednesday 15 May) to mark Dementia Action Week.

Recent research shows that nearly 2,500 people in the Bexhill and Battle constituency are currently living with Dementia. The research also shows that the constituency has the second highest number of residents living with the disease out of all 650 Parliamentary constituencies in the UK.

Dementia Support is a charity that provides the latest support, information, advice, and activities for people living with dementia and their families. This year’s Dementia Action Week focused on the importance of improving diagnosis and recognising the symptoms of the disease.

Speaking after the event, Mr Merriman said:

“I am grateful to Dementia Support for coming to Parliament to mark Dementia Action Week and discussing the vital work that they are involved in.

“Those living with dementia face the fear of an uncertain future, whilst their family and friends experience their loved ones slipping away. With dementia now the leading cause of death in the UK, and with an estimated one million people expected to be living with the disease by 2025, research is critical to understanding this cruel disease, improving diagnosis, and achieving better outcomes for sufferers and their loved ones. It is ever more important that it remains on the agenda.”

Last year, in memory of the late Dame Barbara Windsor, the Government launched the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission to tackle dementia. An additional £95 million in ringfenced funding is going to help boost the number of clinical trials and innovative research projects into dementia. This investment will see dementia research funding doubled by 2024, reaching a total of £160 million a year.