Cirencester Town Council Mayor’s support towards a Dementia Friendly Community

Cirencester Town Council is pleased to announce that Cllr Andy Jopp (Chesterton Ward) has been elected as the new mayor of Cirencester for 2026-2027.  The Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming year is Cllr Steven Colledge (Chesterton Ward).

As Mayor, Cllr Jopp has chosen to support Lighthouse Dementia Support during his civic year, helping to raise awareness of this local community-led initiative and to support the Town Council’s commitment to make Cirencester a Dementia Friendly Community.  

His announcement coincides with Dementia Action Week, during which the Town Council has been sharing information and resources via its social media channels to support those affected by Dementia and raise awareness within the wider community. Officers at the Town Council have also undertaken Dementia awareness training via the Alzheimer’s Society, becoming ‘Dementia Friends’.

Lighthouse Dementia Support supports unpaid carers and families of people living with dementia, while also improving understanding of dementia.  They do this through immersive dementia awareness training (a Dementia Bus) and by helping grow local peer-to-peer support networks for carers and families.

Currently operating as an unincorporated charity, in the process of registering as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the Charity Commission, they have a heartfelt mission to support and educate family members, friends, and unpaid carers of people living with dementia, especially those being cared for at home.

Cllr Jopp said “I’m pleased to nominate Lighthouse Dementia Support as my chosen charity during my mayoral year. A local Cotswold based charity giving support to families affected by dementia.

How many of us know what dementia is like, or how to cope with a relative who has dementia, or where to get support?

With an ageing population more of us are going to be affected by dementia either ourselves, or with a relative, and Lighthouse Dementia Support are there to give advice and training to help cope.”

Speaking on behalf of Lighthouse Dementia Support, founder and trustee Kate Haywood expressed her gratitude for the mayor’s support:  “Councillor Jopp choosing Lighthouse Dementia Support as his inaugural Mayor’s Charity means a huge amount to us.

Helping build greater awareness, understanding and compassion around dementia within our communities is incredibly important, so that those affected feel valued, included, understood and supported.

We look forward to working with Councillor Jopp and Cirencester Town Council to help make Cirencester a dementia-friendly town and continue raising awareness across the wider Cotswolds.”