PEOPLE affected by dementia have a new source of help thanks to a partnership between the town’s library service and health experts.

A selection of books offering advice on dementia has been placed in eight libraries around the town.

GPs will be able to prescribe them and they will also be available for people to borrow.

Each collection comprises 25 books and they are in the libraries in North Swindon, West Swindon, Highworth, Parks, Moredon, the town centre, Wroughton and Stratton.

They are aimed at supporting people with dementia, their families and carers, and raising awareness.

They will also help people without formal diagnosis who may be worrying about symptoms and wanting to find out more.

Leon Flower, the council’s leader for outreach, said: “This is an extension of Books on Prescription, where people can actually be prescribed a book.

“They are all highly regarded books and having them in libraries means they are easily accessible for people in a relaxed environment.”

Library staff have also been trained to recognise people with dementia so they can offer assistance.

Allyson Jordan, the head of libraries, said: “They have been trained as dementia friends so we can help when people come in.”

“The training also means we are able to recognise when perhaps someone is looking confused how best to assist.”

It is estimated there are around 2,000 people with dementia in Swindon, so the scheme will act as a vital tool for raising awareness.

Councillor Brian Mattock, (Con, Old Town) cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “Dementia is becoming more and more relevant for all of us due to our ageing population.

“I am delighted that many of our libraries now have such a fantastic collection of books available to help improve people’s awareness and understanding of this increasingly common condition.”