Every step
Welcome to Dementia Awareness Week 2025. Each year, Dementia Awareness Week is held with the aim of raising awareness of dementia and helping improve the lives of people with dementia, their families and carers. This year’s campaign will run from Monday 2 – Sunday 8 June.
Friendship plays a crucial role in the wellbeing of people with dementia and carers. As the condition progresses, emotional connections and social interactions remain deeply significant. Friendship provides comfort, reassurance, and a sense of belonging, helping to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness, and can empower and support people with dementia to live well for as long as possible.
Our 2025 Dementia Awareness Week campaign, ‘Every step’, highlights the importance of friendship at every stage of dementia. We met with some amazing people who shared their experiences with us and talked about the difference that friendship has made to them.
Alan's Story
Alan is 68 and has Alzheimer’s disease. He has a group of friends that met in school and they continue to be a large part of his life. In this short video, Alan is joined by his friends John and David.
Jean's story
Jean, 85, has both Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. She moved from England to Inverness in 2024 and has since become a familiar and much-loved face at many of our groups at our Inverness Centre.
Jimmy & Joan's story
Jimmy and Joan are regular visitors to our Brain Health & Dementia Resource Centre in Perth. Both Jimmy, who has dementia, and wife Joan have really benefited from the friends and peer support they have found there.
More stories and information
Ally’s story
Ally and Colin have been lifelong friends after meeting over 50 years ago.
James’ story
James was inspired to volunteer after his friend was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Wilma’s story
Wilma found friendship with fellow carer Isa after meeting at our Kilmarnock Centre.
Jennifer & Sheila’s story
Jennifer and Sheila describe how friendship has changed both their lives for the better.
David’s story
David tells how his friend Alan’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s made their friendship stronger than ever
Friendship & Dementia leaflet
Download a copy of our updated Friendship & Dementia leaflet.
Chief Executive’s message
Read our Chief Executive’s message for Dementia Awareness Week.
Dementia in Scotland magazine
The summer edition of our Dementia in Scotland has now been published.
Join Alzheimer Scotland as a member
Membership is free for people with dementia, carers and volunteers.
