Businesses and charities are coming together to help make Holt a more dementia friendly town.

At a launch event taking place next month, the Holt and District Dementia Support Group (H&DDSG) will be asking residents, organisations and businesses to help the town become better for those with the illness.

H&DDSG is supported by a steering group of local people including the town council, Holt Rotary and churches and is in partnership with Age UK Norfolk.

Age UK has been offering advice about how to set up a dementia friendly community project and has arranged free dementia awareness training sessions for local people.

The Alzheimer's Society has also provided advice and has helped H&DDSG to set up Holt Dementia Action Alliance.

The event will be hosted by Michael Brunson, former ITN political editor, who lives in Norfolk.

Wendy Richley, chair of H&DDSG, said: 'The H&DDSG was initially formed to provide a weekly 'Café' offering support and advice to those living with dementia and their carers and now also provides a home visiting service. It also aims to support the well-being of both clients and carers and to increase public awareness of dementia in this area. We are delighted to be leading on this Dementia Friendly Community Project which will undoubtedly bring Holt Community together in support of this important national initiative.'

In the next few weeks the steering group will be visiting businesses, groups and organisations in Holt to invite them to the launch event, and it is hoped that residents will show their support.

Businesses will have the opportunity to attend dementia awareness training workshops and learn how making simple changes to their customer service and environment can make a huge improvement for their customers with dementia. Everyone who attends is given a dementia friendly environment tool-kit and dementia aware window sticker to display.

Age UK will be holding dementia awareness workshops in Holt on April 19 and 28. The launch event will be taking place at the Community Centre, Kerridge Way on April 14, from 6.30pm to 9pm.