STUDENTS at Newent Community School were filmed by ITN Productions recently, following the work they have done to raise awareness of dementia in the local area.

The resulting film will be aired for the first time at the NHS Alliance Conference in London on December 9.

The school was selected to pilot the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia back in 2013.

One of the aims of the initiative is to "create dementia friendly communities that understand how to help".

Since then, pupils have "impressed their teachers and local communities with their understanding of the condition and their actions to tackle stigma".

After learning how to spot the signs of dementia and understand that it is not a natural part of ageing in class, the students started to work with local groups and organisations, including Gloucestershire Police Service, to raise awareness of the condition.

A project spokesman said: "They have already helped lots of people to understand the impact dementia has on families and communities across the county, sometimes within their own families.

"The children’s enthusiasm caught the attention of local NHS, council and social care services. NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which commissions this work in schools, subsequently invited the pupils to take part in a short film about dementia that is to be aired at the NHS Alliance conference in London in December."

Dr Hein Le Roux, GP and Clinical Lead for Dementia at the CCG, said: “It is wonderful to see how much these young people have done to understand dementia and raise awareness of the condition to help improve the lives of vulnerable people. Many of the young people involved have relatives or family friends living with the condition, so have a real life insight into the misunderstandings and difficulties dementia can cause. By educating the next generation and challenging attitudes, we can remove some of the stigmas associated with dementia and encourage people to seek help earlier.”

Head of Personal Health, Social and Economic at Newent Community School, Di Harrill said:“It’s so important that young people have a good understanding of dementia and all the related issues, not only for those who have family connections, but equally for those who don’t. We hope that by educating young people, it will help to reduce the stigma often associated with this illness. We have found that the Dementia project has helped young people develop empathy, tolerance and acceptance of differences, and hope that it will enable people with dementia live better lives.”

Both the school and the CCG have also worked closely with the Forest of Dean District Council, which has been supporting the awareness raising sessions in schools

Councillor Terry Hale, Forest of Dean District Council, Cabinet Member for Community added: “The awareness sessions are designed to increase a young person’s understanding and will build their confidence so they can support, interact and communicate with people living with dementia in their everyday lives.”