A course to help dementia sufferers unlock their cherished memories is coming to Keighley in the new year.

Memorywise uses familiar music, pictures and even food to re-kindle memories once thought lost, and can help both those with memory problems and their carers.

The successful course, currently running in Shipley, ends tomorrow but the group behind it has funding to start a ten-week course at Keighley Healthy Living Centre on Scott Street starting in January.

Rather than dismiss sufferers as being beyond help, the course aims to re-awake memories that are so important to a person’s identity. It uses techniques like “Desert Island Disc” sessions and picnics with sufferers’ favourite foods on the menu.

Earlier this year voluntary care group Taking Time received £10,000 lottery funding for two projects, and Keighley was announced as the base for the second project last week.

Those who run the course, open to people diagnosed with memory problems in the last 18 months, say they have seen a huge change in those who have taken part so far, and friendships have been created within the groups.

Dr Elizabeth Milwain, a psychologist specialising in memory loss, and Jane Dale, a facilitator of reminiscence projects, run the sessions for about a dozen sufferers.

Those who attended the Shipley project range from their 60s to 80s and are accompanied by carers.

Dr Milwain said: “They have really enjoyed coming, and very quickly people started making friends within the group. They had never met before, but by using the techniques we do it broke down barriers. They really get to know each other.

“Carers are often quite surprised by how much people can remember. It really helps after the session, they have things to talk about once they leave, and they can do a lot of these remembrance activities once they get home.

“There have been a lot of studies about remembrance, but this is bringing it out of research facilities and into the community. If you give people time and attention it is amazing how much they will remember.”

One the courses the group looks through family photo albums, and listen to their favourite records as a way of rekindling memories.

Dr Milwain argues one of the best things about the courses are the bonds formed between those taking part. She added: “Some of them are continuing to meet in cafes because they have bonded so well. They don’t want to say goodbye to each other.

“People might see coming along as a difficult decision, but you can’t describe the benefits.”

The project starts on Friday, January 18, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and will continue through to March 22.

For more information call Mrs Dale on (01274) 560907 or Dr Milwain on (01274) 583364.