As a local man who has worked alongside the Alzheimer’s Society in South Gloucestershire, I am very aware that dementia, and the social isolation it can cause is one of the biggest challenges facing parts of our community.

Dementia sufferers are having to cope with the effects of physical damage to the brain as well as the emotional isolation and this can be extremely difficult for family, friends and neighbours, who need as much help and understanding as we can give.

People can be particularly vulnerable to isolation in some of our more rural communities, where the access to public transport and other local facilities are not as strong.

Some people can be left alone for days at a time without coming into contact with anybody. This isolation is a real concern and I want to make sure we pool our resources to help where we can.

Over the coming months, I will be hosting a series of Dementia Friends events across South Gloucestershire in conjunction with Bluebird Care, an award winning care company working out of Chipping Sodbury and the Alzheimer’s Society.

These events will be run by myself and volunteers trained by the Alzheimer’s Society, and will aim to give an understanding of what it is like to live with dementia and to spot signs in other people both at home and in the community.

After the last session I hosted earlier this year, people have mentioned that as a result, they have noticed signs of dementia whilst in the queue at the post office and getting on the bus and had a better understanding of what to do to help.

They are very active and informal and no previous knowledge of dealing with dementia is needed.

I will hold one Dementia Friend event a month and will try to get around as many of our rural communities as possible, holding sessions in town halls, community centres and churches.

The first session will be held at Wickwar Social Club on Friday 25th September, and more information about the timetable of events will be coming out soon.

I will also be writing to local post pffice workers, bus drivers and other groups who have customer facing roles in our community, inviting them to come along to ensure that we do everything possible to make people aware of how to spot signs of Dementia, and how to act positively when they are noticed.

There are already a lot of passionate and dedicated local Dementia Champions in our communities and I hope this can be another way to bring people together and pool our skills and understanding.

The Alzheimer’s society hit its target of one million Dementia Friends around the UK earlier this year and has now set an ambitious target of creating four million Dementia Friends by 2020.

I hope our area can lead the charge on reaching that target.

The more people who understand and are aware of dementia, the less fear and isolation there will be by sufferers, and those living with the illness are more likely to feel included and supported within their communities and can continue to live independently for longer.

If you would like some more information about these sessions, or if you know a local village or town that would benefit from a Dementia Friends training, please do get in touch: luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk