A NEW dementia support group is being set up in Minehead to help co-ordinate and publicise information about the condition for both sufferers and their carers.

It follows a successful Dementia Awareness Week in the town, which culminated with a meeting in the town's Reading Room (pictured) to discuss what more could be done to help people in the Minehead area.

"There's a lot of people who are working or living quietly with the problem of dementia," said Iver Klingenberg, of The Parks Active Living Centre.

"The important thing is to bring everything together so people know what's available and what support is out there."

Representatives from Compass Carers, Watchet Dementia Action Alliance, Alzheimer's Society Memory Café and Singing for the Brain, the Reading Room and the Strictly not Strictly Tea Dance were among those at the meeting, as well as Terry Venner, Maureen Smith, Diane Lloyd, Jan Voisey and Roger Thomas.

Cllr Venner, who is the town's county councillor, as well as a member of both town and district councils, has already set aside £900 from his county council health and wellbeing budget to get the initiative off the ground.

He said people were often too embarrassed to talk about dementia and many left it until they were in dire straits to seek help.

The new group would be a one-stop-shop for all kinds of information about dementia services locally and would also enable a Dementia Friends training scheme to be started for business and individuals.

Cllr Venner said: "By reducing the fear and providing more knowledge, everyone will feel less isolated and feel able to use the whole of their community with confidence and without shame or embarrassment.

"Several local organisations and individuals have come together to indicate their willingness to be involved in developing this new initiative for Minehead.

"They all share the view that support for people with dementia and their carers is much needed here in Minehead."

He said he was pleased to be able to support the venture financially, with the money being held in a pot by volunteers' charity Engage West Somerset.

But to get things up and running the fledgling support group needs to recruit a secretary and a treasurer and is appealing for prospective volunteers to attend the next informal group meeting on Friday, July 3, at 3pm in the Reading Room, Friday Street.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the group is also welcome to attend and more information is available from Lesley Culverhouse at the Reading room on 01643 70919.

Group spokesman Emily Feldber said: "Accessing services can be very daunting and time consuming when you are a carer.

"There are lots of good things happening and lots more that could happen.

"If we can make it any easier for people living with dementia, that has to be a good thing."