A host of celebrities have backed the Alzheimer’s Society’s call to rebuild the social care system for everyone affected by dementia.
At the charity’s Dementia Hero Awards on 20 May, stars including Carey Mulligan (pictured), Judy Finnigan, Tony Robinson, Angela Rippon and Anne-Marie Duff came together virtually to each present an award, with Richard Madeley hosting the evening.
The celebrities backed Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Action Week, which saw the launch of the ‘Cure The Care System’ campaign that calls on the government to publish a “clear, budgeted, plan with milestones, with reform underway this year”.
The awards, for which there were more than 400 nominations across 11 categories, recognise the inspirational achievements of individuals, groups and organisations who did outstanding things throughout the pandemic to support people affected by dementia.
Earlier in the week, Robinson joined people affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s Society chief executive Kate Lee outside the Houses of Parliament in a photocall urging the Prime Minister to cure social care, while a hard-hitting campaign film featuring Game of Thrones actor Kate Dickie highlighted the stark realities facing carers.
“I urge everyone in the UK to sign the Dementia Action Week petition. It is vital that the social care system is one that supports our most vulnerable, and one that we can all grow old in,” said Robinson.
“We can’t cure dementia yet; but the government can cure the social care system, and they must act now to prevent further heartbreak and distress for thousands of families across the UK,” he added.
In a related development, Royal Star & Garter won the Professional Excellence category at the Dementia Hero Awards for its outstanding dementia care.
The charity provides care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia, from homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe.
