A MENTAL health charity has held an event to promote Dementia Action Awareness Week.

Andover Mind opened its doors on Tuesday to help raise awareness about dementia and the support it can offer to those with the condition.

Jody Phelvin, older persons advice manager at Andover Mind said: “It’s a chance for everybody to get together, have a bit of a positive light on sharing stories and enjoying the music and just having another chance to be social.”

The charity aims to enable people with dementia to live well with their diagnosis, providing free advice and information.

Mrs Phelvin added: “It’s just about making people realise it’s not the end of the world if you have got a diagnosis.”

Also in attendance was Andover Town mayor, Barbara Long and deputy mayor, Mick Mumford, as dementia awareness is one of Andover Town Council’s chosen causes for the year.

Mrs Long said: “Andover is a dementia awareness town. People need to be aware there are a lot of people in Andover with dementia.

“I want to create more public awareness for events and organisations that support dementia.