What is Dementia Carers Together raising money for?
Too many carers of people with dementia are facing loneliness, exhaustion and overwhelming responsibilities.
Dementia Carers Together is a programme run by Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland, supported by the Daily Mail and the Mail Force charity. It will provide new six-week courses to give them vital support and information about their rights and the services available to them.
Why is there a need for this?
There are currently 2.5 million people in the UK who provide some form of care for people with dementia.
The statistics are bleak: four in five unpaid dementia carers have reached crisis point at least once, and seven in ten say their mental or physical health is negatively affected.
What will the courses cover?
Each course has six weekly sessions lasting two hours. Carers can attend all six or choose individual sessions depending on their interests and needs.
They will offer practical help in dealing with loved ones as they deteriorate, from managing danger at home to navigating changes in hygiene and dealing with confusion to minimise conflict.
Other sessions cover unlocking support, including what you are entitled to medically and financially, such as the right to a timely diagnosis, benefits allowances and council tax reductions.
And they also focus on emotional resilience. Carers will be taught ways to cope with the toll on their mental health, how to recognise burnout and stress, and when and how to ask for help.
Where will the Dementia Carers Together courses be available?
Courses will be held across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Scottish sessions will be delivered via Alzheimer Scotland.
The appeal aims to fund at least 864 sessions across 144 groups a year. Around 80 per cent of them will be in-person, with the others held online to reach all carers who need support.
Who can attend the courses, and when will carers be able to sign up?
Anyone in need of support and advice can attend, not just immediate family members. We hope attendees will pass on what they learn to as many people as possible, multiplying the reach of the courses.
Pilot courses will be launched in London, Peterborough, Wales and Northern Ireland once the appeal passes £100,000. From the New Year, you'll be able to sign up to the 2027 courses.
How much is the appeal trying to raise?
A minimum of £1million, which will pay for the courses for a year. If it reaches £2million the courses can run for two years, or for three years if it raises £3million.
Each course will have roughly 30 participants, meaning tens of thousands of people could benefit in the first year alone.
If for any reason any of the funds are not needed for the programme, Mail Force will distribute them to Alzheimer's Society for it to use in other ways to relieve the needs of people with Alzheimer's disease and related conditions.
Dementia Carers TogetherDementia Carers Together is raising money to fund new courses across the UK to give tens of thousands of struggling unpaid dementia carers vital emotional and practical support.
For further information, visit dailymail.com/dementia
How you can donate
Online: Visit mailforcecharity.co.uk/donate
By Text: To donate £10, text CARER to 70115. To donate £20, text LOVE to 70115. To donate £30, text HEART to 70115. Texts will cost your donation amount plus your network charge.
By phone: Call 0300 1234577. Standard charges may apply.
By cheque: Send cheques made payable to Mail Force Charity to:
Dementia Carers Together, 42 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester CO2 8JY
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