Hi there

The volunteering project I am working on is a project run by an independent charity called Lewisham MindCare (dementia arm of Bromley Mind) and is a partner in the NHS funded Lewisham Memory Service. The Memory Service is where GP's refer patients to when they have concerns about their memory so they can have further tests and also access support if they receive a dementia diagnosis.

It is not directly related to the national 'Dementia Friends' initiative that has just been launched as part of the PM's Challenge on Dementia. I believe the finer details of the Dementia Friends project are still to be worked out so I am not sure when they will actually start recruiting officially or what the Friends will be expected to do but you can register your interest, like you said.

Saying that, Lewisham Mindcare is part of the wider strategy to improve support for people with dementia across the country and money has been made available locally to develop services such as ours, including our volunteering programme supporting people with dementia to remain independent through providing befrienders and escorts.

I think it is great that you have been considering volunteering. If you would like more info, then please contact me again.

Katie