RESIDENTS in Worcestershire are being urged to take part in a new project to help those in the county living with dementia to continue enjoying the activities they love.

Worcestershire is one of 17 areas in the country to be selected by the Alzheimer’s Society to pilot the initiative called Sid by Side.

The scheme matches an individual with dementia, who might feel isolated and find it difficult to leave their home, to a volunteer who provides one-to-one support to help them remain active and feel part of their local community.

Studies indicate that social activity and social support are thought to be directly related to better physical and mental capacity and help to slow down the rate of decline.

Side by Side was launched in Worcestershire this summer and wants to boost its volunteers with anyone who can offer regular weekly or fortnightly time to spend helping a person living with dementia to enjoy their hobbies or other activities.

Janet Smith, manager of the charity’s Side by Side service in Worcestershire, said: “This new service focuses on enabling people with dementia to lead more fulfilling lives and to continue to take part in the activities that they have always enjoyed and try new ones.

“We are currently piloting this service in 17 places across the UK including here in Worcestershire and are looking to expand to 26 by the beginning of next year. We need more volunteers to enable people with dementia to stay connected and help to reduce feelings of loneliness that may be felt after a diagnosis.

“By doing things like going for a walk, attending a football match, or joining a local class together, our volunteers support people with dementia to take up hobbies and get out and about. What they do together is entirely based on what the person with dementia wants.

“Volunteers are crucial to the success of this service and can range from providing support once a week to once a fortnight at a time that works for the volunteer and person with dementia.

“It might be taking a walk in the park, a visit to a café or a chat over the phone. It sounds simple, but it can make a huge difference to someone’s life. By 2017 we want every person with dementia in England to have the opportunity to access Side by Side.

“Befriending has been around for a long time but we are trying to take it a bit further. We are enabling people to go out into the community to continue doing what they have always done. The services is aimed at people with mild to moderate dementia and there is no personal care involved.”

Janet said anyone can volunteer but patience is a key quality and those people who have already had experience of dealing with a family member or friend with dementia could be well suited to the role. “I would encourage people to ring me and have a chat. It is not for everyone but I am very happy to talk to people about what is involved.”

The service will help grow dementia friendly communities by building local networks for people with dementia, bringing opportunity and widening what people with dementia can bring to their community, reducing stigma and social exclusion.

Side by Side also aims to reach a greater number of people with dementia including groups who are under-represented in local services such as people with dementia from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and people with learning disabilities.

If you are interested in becoming a Side by Side volunteer, please contact Janet Smith on 01905 621887 or 07885 228890 or janet.smith@alzheimers.org.uk for more details. Training will be provided so that volunteers are confident about carrying out the role.