Item 4 on the agenda is 90-second statements. The first this week is Jayne Bryant.
This week is Dementia Action Week. It's predicted that by 2055 there will be over 100,000 people in Wales living with dementia. It's vital that as a nation we increase our awareness and understanding of dementia to break down stigma and support people to live well in their communities for as long as possible. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing. The disease doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care who you are and could happen to any of us. A dementia diagnosis isn't only difficult for the person affected, but for everyone close to them. The Alzheimer's Society Dementia Friends is the biggest ever initiative to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about dementia. It aims to help people to understand what it might be like to live with dementia, and turn that understanding into action.
In 2015, this Assembly committed to becoming dementia-friendly. To date, only half of us have done the training. It's time that we fulfil the pledge for all 60 AMs to become dementia friends. This will be a bold step towards making us the world's first dementia-friendly Parliament. The training takes just over half an hour, and I would encourage everyone here to do it. And we shouldn't stop there. We should encourage our own offices and those in our communities to do the training. Life doesn't end when dementia begins. With support, people can live well with dementia, so every action counts.
Thank you. Second up, Jack Sargeant.
Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. John Atkinson, Courtney Boyle, Philip Tron, Kelly Brewster, Georgina Callander, Olivia Campbell-Hardy, Liam Curry, Chloe Rutherford, Wendy Fawell, Martyn Hett, Alison Howe, Lisa Lees, Megan Hurley, Nell Jones, Michelle Kiss, Angelika Klis, Marcin Klis, Sorrell Leczkowski, Eilidh MacLeod, Elaine McIver, Saffie Rose Roussos and Jane Tweddle: they were the 22 innocent people who were tragically killed at the Manchester Arena attack a year ago yesterday; 22 people who decided to go to the concert to have a good time. Some of my friends were actually at that concert, but they were fortunate enough to return home to their families that evening; others were not. I'm sure, whilst I'm standing here, I speak for everyone in this Chamber when I say to the families of those that lost their loved ones that evening that we do stand with you, and our wholehearted sympathies are with you during this difficult time.
Deputy Llywydd, Wales will remember them, and, in the words of Liam Gallagher, the 22 will live forever. Diolch.
Thank you. Simon Thomas.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. The DPJ Foundation was founded in July 2016 following the death of Daniel Picton-Jones. Daniel had suffered with his mental health and sadly chose to end his life on 5 July 2016. The DPJ Foundation was born from the struggle Daniel faced in getting support in a rural area and in the isolated occupation of farming. His wife, Emma, has campaigned ceaselessly to overcome the stigma of talking about mental health matters, particularly among men. These difficulties are compounded by access to mental health services in rural areas, and the reticence of many farmers, who can mend anything with some binder cord and some perspiration, to seek out help when faced with mental illness.
I was very pleased to host Emma Picton-Jones here at the Assembly recently, and to share her message with those who are concerned with mental health in rural Wales. The DPJ Foundation now offers a 24-hour counselling service in Pembrokeshire, and Emma's work is opening up discussion of these issues among farming unions, agricultural bodies and voluntary organisations. Now, in Daniel's name, people are being supported in a way that he felt he wasn't able to be, and, because of Emma's work, more and more people are realising that it's okay to talk.
Thank you very much.