The Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham has lent his support to the National Week of Prayer for Dementia later this month.

The week, running from 12 to 19 March, is dedicated to prayer and raising awareness of the condition.

Special prayer cards have been put together encouraging parishioners to think and pray for people living with dementia, as well as their family and carers.

Frances Molloy, manager of the Pastoral Care Project, said: “Our charity, which began its pioneering work in 1994 is indebted to the many, many hundreds of people with dementia whose journey we were privileged to share; including the precious time of their going home to the Lord."

Healing services will be held across the UK and Ireland throughout the week.

Bishop David McGough, who serves as lead bishop to the Pastoral Care Project, said: "Few of us can imagine the isolation, and consequent anxiety, that this affliction brings both to those who suffer and their families.

"Through prayer let us ground ourselves in our communion with the Lord, making ourselves one with the many who suffer and those who care for them."