Providing support for people with dementia and tackling the stigma surrounding the disease is a key priority for the county council according to the health chief.

In the wake of Bucks County Council’s initiative ‘Dementia Friendly Communities’ public meetings will be held in Denham and Iver to educate people about dementia and what they can do to support people living with the disease.

The aim is to help those living with dementia to remain independent for as long as possible by raising awareness and understanding of the illness.

Cabinet member for health and wellbeing, Mike Appleyard said nearly 7,000 people across Buckinghamshire have been diagnosed with dementia and the number is rising.

He said: “It's a priority for the County Council to help them retain their quality of life in their local community, and the Dementia-Friendly Communities initiative focuses on achieving this."

Denham and Iver will bring the total number of communities to be developed as ‘dementia friendly’ to six along with Stokenchurch, Great Missenden, Buckingham and Burnham which were all launched last year.

County councillor for Denham, Cllr Roger Reed said: “Most of us will know of someone in the family or wider circle who has had to live with dementia.

“If we can succeed in making our communities more dementia-friendly, in removing the stigma and make local activities more inclusive, then it will be easier for the individual and their carer, to live well for a longer time.”

The Denham meeting will be on Tuesday, January 26 at 12pm at Denham Manor Care Home on Hailings Lane and the Iver meeting will be on Wednesday January 27 at the St Peter’s Centre on Thorney Lane at 6 pm.