CIRENCESTER'S new mayor has thrown his support behind a dementia charity.
Councillor Andy Jopp of Chesterton Ward, who has been elected mayor of Cirencester for 2026-2027, will use his civic year to raise awareness of Lighthouse Dementia Support.
The announcement aligns with Cirencester Town Council’s ongoing commitment to make the town more dementia-friendly.
Councillor 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."
Lighthouse Dementia Support helps unpaid carers and families of those living with dementia, providing immersive training sessions through its Dementia Bus and offering peer-to-peer support networks.
The charity is currently in the process of registering as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the Charity Commission.
Councillor Jopp’s announcement came during Dementia Action Week (May 18 to 24).
To mark the week, Cirencester Town Council shared information and resources on social media and took part in dementia awareness training through the Alzheimer’s Society, earning Dementia Friends status.
Kate Haywood, founder and trustee of Lighthouse Dementia Support, said: "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 to continue raising awareness across the wider Cotswolds."
Councillor Steven Colledge, also of Chesterton Ward, has been named deputy mayor for the coming year.
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