Around 50 healthcare students learnt about dementia while attending a special presentation on the condition at a further education college.

Representatives from Dementia Action Alliance spoke to health and social care diploma students and access to higher education learners on November 23 at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London.

Three of the students who listened to speakers at the College’s Tottenham Centre were Doris Badu, Imurana Alhassan and Maria Lopez.

Doris, 26, said: “It was really informative.

“I used to think people with dementia couldn’t do anything and always needed help, but now my perception has really changed.”

Imurana, 32, said: “I learnt that dementia can happen to anyone no matter what their circumstances, and how important it is to respect their needs.”

Maria, 19, said: “Everything I’ve heard I can use to help treat people with dementia in the future.”

Dementia Action Alliance is a group of 150 organisations committed to sharing best practice, who aim to improve the lives of people with dementia.

Charities, hospitals, social care providers, government bodies, pharmaceuticals, royal colleges and wellbeing organisations are among Alliance members.

Patrick Gray, Dementia Friendly Community co-ordinator, said: “Unfortunately, we find there is still a lot of misunderstanding about dementia in the medical profession.

“These students will be the next generation to work in the healthcare industry, and so it’s important we increase their level of awareness about this condition and how it affects people living with it in the community.”

Around 850,000 people in the UK live with dementia, costing the country £26.3 billion annually.