IT is described as 'an essential lifeline' in helping people to live well with dementia.

With 850,000 people currently with dementia in the UK, a figure which is forecasted to increase to over one million by 2025 and to two million by 2051, those living with this devastating condition, and their families and carers, need all the support they can get.

Dementia is no longer a condition associated with older people. More than 40,000 people under 65 have dementia in the UK and 225,000 will develop dementia this year, that is one every three minutes.

Launched in October 2012, The Memory Club supports people with dementia or similar memory problems and their carer.

The club's 'Time Together' sessions allows them to spend time together and also apart so the person with dementia can reminisce through activities such as singing and crafts, and the carer is given the chance to chat about their feelings and the challenges they face.

"The aim of the memory club is to provide a place where people affected by dementia can go to find friendship and support with others going through the same difficulties, but also access specialist advice about dementia itself," says Dr Elizabeth Milwain, who developed The Memory Tree, a not-for-profit organisation specialising in providing local support for families affected by dementia, which runs the Memory Clubs.

Dr Milwain's expertise stems from her 16 years working as a research psychologist and lecturer in the field.

"After working as a researcher and lecturer in the field for a long time I saw firsthand how valuable knowledge about dementia is to those who undertake a caring role. My professional work was with professional carers, but I increasingly felt family carers and small voluntary organisations would also benefit from having more knowledge. My aim in setting up the Memory Tree was to see how I could make my knowledge work in the community by running support groups myself in partnership with small, local organisations connected to the heart of their communities."

Testimony to the Memory Club's success, since its launch there are now four Memory Clubs operating in the city including Idle, run with partners Idle Baptist Church and Dementia Friendly Idle; Shipley, whose local partner is the Kirkgate Community Centre; Low Moor, whose parters are Aldersgate Methodist, St Mary the Virgin Wyke (C of E), Dementia Friendly Wyke and Tesco Buttershaw, and Keighley whose local partners are Keighley Shared Church Hall and Dementia Friendly Keighley.

"The local partnership has been essential in terms of finding suitable venues, helping us to recruit local volunteers and to raise awareness of our work within the local community. Growing awareness of dementia and national campaigns to raise the issues have been really helpful, in particular the Dementia Friendly Communities Programme run by the Alzheimer's Society."

Dr Milwain also acknowledges the Bradford branch of the Alzheimer's Society, Carers' Resource and Age UK for their help promoting the clubs and raising awareness of the benefits they can bring to families.

To help raise the organisation's profile, an open day is taking place from 2 until 4pm on Saturday April 2 at the Keighley Memory Club, Keighley Shared Church Hall.

Sandra Kelly, secretary for Dementia Friendly Keighley, will talk about the activities and achievements in making Keighley a Dementia Friendly place to live. Information and refreshments will be available.

The benefits the clubs bring to people with dementia and their carers are already evident through the feedback Dr Milwain has received.

"I like it here because it REALLY works, REALLY helps and REALLY brings people back to life," are the words spoken by a person suffering from the condition.

And a carer said: "Since we started going to the club we have found we are not alone. My husband enjoys coming because of all the different activities they do and caring for him is easier now I have people to discuss things with who understand because they are facing it too."

Now it is hoped more people affected by this devastating condition will get involved and explore those benefits for themselves.

Keighley Memory Club meets on the second and fourth Friday of each month from 1.45 to 3.30pm.

For more information visit thememorytree.org.uk; call 01274 583364 or email elizabeth@thememorytree.org.uk

For more information, advice and support about dementia visit alzheimers.org.uk