A GROUND-breaking project is being started to help dementia sufferers.

The pilot scheme aims to develop care home provision in Bradford, Airedale, Craven, Wharfedale, plus East Lancashire.

Behind the initiative is the Airedale and Partners vanguard, which pools the expertise of bodies including the NHS, local authorities and care homes themselves.

It will work in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society and the School of Dementia Studies at the University of Bradford.

The project will encourage businesses, organisations, voluntary groups and individuals to pledge to improve the lives of dementia sufferers living in homes. Schools will also be involved.

Funding totalling more than £100,000 is being provided through a new three-year NHS support programme, Health as a Social Movement.

"This is another great opportunity for our vanguard to shape the blueprint for the NHS and contribute to its future success," said Helen Bourner, Airedale and Partners programme director.

"It is also testimony of the esteem in which the work that everyone involved in the health and care sector here is held.

"Pooling our skills with the unrivalled local expertise of both the Alzheimer's Society and the University of Bradford creates the strongest partnership for taking this research work forward and testing out our new ideas.

"Social movements form a unique window into NHS improvement and while this is a project with strong local roots, it is one that ultimately could have huge potential for transforming dementia care nationally."

This area was selected by NHS England last summer to research new ways of working to transform care for residents in nearly 250 residential and nursing homes.

Professor Murna Downs, head of the School of Dementia Studies at the University of Bradford, said: "We are delighted to be part of this pioneering programme to improve the quality of life of people living with dementia, especially those in care homes – arguably some of the most vulnerable members of society."

Meanwhile, dementia patients will be able to take a trip down memory lane - thanks to innovative pupils at Dixons Allerton Academy in Bradford.

They have presented a collection of reminiscence place mats to be used on the ortho-geriatric ward of the new £28 million wing at Bradford Royal Infirmary when it opens in the autumn.

The brightly-coloured mats are decorated with nostalgic images of days gone by including transport such as old Bradford trolley buses and steam trains, sweets, foods and and toys as well as pictures of the seaside, donkey rides and ice-cream cornets.

Danielle Woods, lead nurse for dementia, said: “There will be four-bedded bays on the new ward and in each bay, a dining table where patients will be able to sit and eat together. This will encourage socialisation and interaction which is an important part of rehabilitation for our patients – many of whom can feel lonely and isolated before coming into hospital.

“The mats will be used at mealtimes and these images will be perfect for stimulating discussion as well as prompting memories and reminiscences. We are really pleased that the students thought of us when designing these mats."