Carey Mulligan is using her fame to make the world a better place for those with dementia. The actress has been named as global ambassador for Dementia Friends – and it’s a condition very close to her heart.
The 31-year-old's grandmother, who she calls Nans, has suffered with dementia for 16 years and Carey wants to help educate people and reduce stigma surrounding the disease.
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© Photo: Getty ImagesCarey Mulligan is the global ambassador for Dementia Friends
Speaking about Dementia Friends' latest initiative, Carey explained to the BBC: "It empowers you to take away that fear you feel when you're in the street and you see someone who is maybe struggling a little bit.
"Or someone in a shop who can't figure out how much money they need to work out in change. To take away that fear of, 'Oh maybe I shouldn't offer to help just in case they are fine'."
Suffragette star Carey also opened up about her grandmother's condition, revealing she and her family have grown to rely on people who work to help those living with dementia.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe actress wants to end stigma surrounding the condition
She continued: "Nans has had dementia now for about 16 years and she is in quite an advanced stage. It has been at various stages confusing and saddening and it's also given us the opportunity to meet really amazing people who dedicate their lives to working with people who suffer from dementia."
Something Carey wants to end is the condition being referred to as an elderly person who is "losing their marbles" and confessed such references have always "wound her up".
"I think there's a natural fear," she added. "And I think that's something we should talk about more. I think for a long time it felt like such a taboo subject, and I think that's gradually changing."
