Comedians sign up to Dementia Friends scheme

Popular comedians Jo Brand and Meera Syal have become two of the first people to sign up to the Dementia Friends programme launched by the Alzheimer's Society.

The scheme has been backed by the government and has been designed to offer free education sessions to allow people to gain a better understanding of how dementia affects patients with the condition.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has also voiced his intention to become a dementia friend and Alzheimer's Society hopes one million people will have signed up by 2015.

David Cameron announced the initiative in November 2012 and it is being funded by the Department of Health and the cabinet office.

As part of their initial sessions, Ms Brand and Ms Syal took part in a game of 'dementia fact bingo' and were tested on their recall of everyday objects.

Ms Syal revealed she was encouraged to become a dementia friend because a relative has been diagnosed with the condition.

"I wanted to be a dementia friend so I could start to think about how I can help in my community," she explained.

Read more about Barchester's dementia care homes.