A GROUNDBREAKING scheme which is helping care home residents to stay connected with hobbies and interests has issued a plea for help.

The Airedale Social Movement, backed by the Alzheimer's Society, is appealing for more volunteers to come forward.

The project is designed to enrich the lives of dementia sufferers by keeping them in touch with activities.

Regency Court care home in Thwaites village is one of five homes involved and held a meeting to encourage more people to support the scheme.

The meeting was told about residents' skills and pursuits from their youth, ranging from motorbike construction to swimming and opera.

Programme manager Joanne Volpe said the event was hugely successful and generated a variety of ideas.

Suggestions included the creation of a dementia-friendly space in the garden and a community allotment, activities with school children to share memories, learning about technology such as iPads and using digital photography to create a scrapbook of outings.

She said: "Living with dementia can mean losing connections with neighbours and friends and no longer being able to enjoy pastimes.

"For too many people, including those living in care homes, dementia can result in loneliness and isolation.

"The Airedale Social Movement will change this.

"Residents in the homes have already told us they would enjoy everything – reading, gardening, exercise, tidying, colouring, poetry, knitting and dancing for example – so we are confident that these ideas will be enjoyed by everyone involved.

"Now we are looking for people who can help us build and sustain these community connections.

"We need people who can use their local knowledge and relationships to make these ideas – and more – happen. We can guarantee it will be rewarding, varied and stimulating."

Vicky Thompson, registered care manager at Regency Court, said: "We are excited to be involved in the Airedale Social Movement and to support the programme.

"We are looking forward to inviting others into the home to enhance the lives of those who stay here.

"The ethos of Regency Court is to provide individuals living with dementia with positive outcomes in their daily lives – irrespective of their illness – and the programme will help support our residents, relatives and staff to continue to achieve this."

For more information and to get involved, contact Pippa Swanton from the Alzheimer's Society on phillipa.swanton@alzheimers.org.uk or 07483 926212.