Dementia volunteer scoops top accolade

A dementia volunteer from South Wales has received a top award in recognition of his good work.

Tony Alexander, 66, from Swansea, received the Alzheimer's Society's William Brooks Award for outstanding volunteering activities from the Welsh Assembly's deputy minister for social services Gwenda Thomas in Cardiff on April 16th.

The event also saw the Welsh government unveil the details of its dementia supportive communities scheme.

Mr Alexander said he was surprised to receive the award.

"When I listened to Gwenda describing this chap who had compassion, passion and determination, I thought where do we find people like him? I was a bit embarrassed to discover that she was talking about me," he recalled.

Gwenda Thomas said it was her "absolute honour" to give Mr Alexander the award, adding that the compassion and determination he has shown are often in short supply.

It is estimated that more than 800,000 are currently living in the UK with dementia.

Read more about Barchester's dementia care homes.