The Government’s initiative to create a volunteer army of friends for those who suffer dementia is a very welcome move in the fight to improve the lives of those who are hit by this terrible disease.

It comes on the back of good work already done in Bradford, with the city having already gained national recognition for the work that has been done here to help sufferers and their carers to live as normal a life as possible.

Businesses, organisations and other groups within the city have already signed a pledge to do more to do all they can to improve the day-to-day situation of those with dementia.

David Cameron’s announcement yesterday of plans to train a million people to be ‘dementia friends’ will further consolidate the good work already done here.

It will also help to create a much greater understanding of the illness, which is still shrouded in mystery and fear for many people.

The Telegraph & Argus has long campaigned for our older citizens to be treated with the dignity they deserve, and sadly dementia too often robs them of that.

Improving people’s knowledge and encouraging people to learn more about how they can help and interact with those afflicted will be a big step towards countering that loss of dignity.

If this latest scheme helps to foster that understanding, that will be all to the good.

Hopefully it will ease the huge burden on carers, who are often family members, who have to look after a stricken loved one.

More importantly, it should also mean those who are trapped within this condition will be treated with the respect they are entitled to.