A Waltham Forest woman has been praised for her ‘outstanding’ work to ensure better lives for dementia sufferers.

Alzheimer’s Society services manager Alli Anthony has been nominated for a top national award in recognition of her efforts with the charity.

Alli, whose own mother had dementia, has worked to break down barriers for people with the disease.

Her successes include working with GPs to increase diagnosis rates of dementia in the borough.

Over the past year the detection rate has risen from 54 per cent to 70 per cent.

She also worked to establish the Waltham Forest Dementia Action Alliance which saw 35 groups sign up to make improvements in the community.

Now, Alli has been put forward for a Bevan Foundation award, which is given to people making an outstanding contribution to health and wellbeing in the UK.

Alzheimer’s Society operations manager, Martyn Cooper, said: “Alli is a star.

“Her work breaking down barriers to raise awareness of dementia in minority groups across London – where often historically there is not even a word in the culture for dementia – is outstanding.”

The winner will be revealed at a ceremony at Portcullis House, London, on July 7.