Local MSP Jackie Baillie joined local volunteers to welcome the launch of Dementia Awareness Week at a coffee morning in Dumbarton this week.

St Augustine’s Church hosted the event to raise awareness of the condition which affects an estimated 1400 people in West Dunbartonshire.

Alzeihemer Scotland has organised a wide range of activities and events across Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven to mark Dementia Awareness Week 2015, including tea dances, quiz nights and children’s activities.

Jackie said:

“I was delighted to join local volunteers in Dumbarton to kick start Dementia Awareness Week and celebrate the incredible work volunteers do to support people living with dementia and their carers.

“Being diagnosed with dementia can be a difficult time for the whole family but local projects like the West Dunbartonshire Dementia Resource Centre offer support to help people with the condition live independent and fulfilling lives.”

If you have any concerns regarding dementia, you can contact the West Dunbartonshire Dementia Resource Centre on 0141 410 5306. Alternatively, you can call Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 hour, freephone Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3