Their special friendship isn't based on a long-standing acquaintance.

Paula Thornham and Dorothy only met in January yet you'd think they'd known each other for years.

They share the same sense of humour which helps lighten an otherwise extremely sad situation. Dorothy is in the early stages of Alzheimer's. As sufferers and carers know this is a cruel and devastating memory-loss condition. Generally it affects older people, but younger people have been diagnosed with it too.

Those coping with the condition will know, sufferers struggle to remember the recent past. Paula explains Dorothy would have difficulty remembering what she had for dinner that day, yet surprisingly she can recall fond memories of childhood Christmases and the family she misses.

She loves reminiscing and the precious few hours she and Paula spend together are spent pouring over Dorothy's prized keepsake, the scrapbook she's lovingly put together over the years.

"Dorothy has a scrapbook of photographs all carefully laid out which she put together years ago," says Paula. "She loves talking about her family and we go through it every visit."

For those who don't have their nearest and dearest to hand, the condition can be even more isolating which is why Paula's visits mean so much to sufferers like Dorothy.

She says she looks forward to Paula's visits and she clearly enjoys their friendship. The pair became pals through Time to Listen, a befriending scheme initially set up as a pilot project five years ago by the Alzheimer's Society in Bradford.

Reading an article about the scheme, which was set up specifically for lone sufferers of the condition, prompted Paula to get in touch.

She had some insight into the condition. Her late grandfather suffered from dementia before he died. "We loved him very much and what happened was heartbreaking but he was lucky he had family around him," says Paula.

Experience isn't essential. Qualities befrienders need are the willingness to listen and having the time to spare. "A lot of skills you bring yourself," says Paula, who had some training and had to undergo the usual security checks for the role.

Working as a local government officer for Bradford Council, Paula juggles the usual job and family commitments, but says the rewards from giving her spare time to help others, like Dorothy, make it worthwhile.

"Dorothy says it's lovely having a special friend; somebody she can tell everything to; somebody who has the same sense of humour. She says she looks forward to the visits and I truly get a lot from the visits too. It's so satisfying," says Paula.

Scheme leader, Jessica Tasker, is aware of the benefits as she does some befriending herself. But with 71 clients on the waiting list, she's desperately seeking more befrienders.

Generally they work with the same clients and they can decide activities between themselves. Jessica explains they could prepare a meal together, go for a stroll or simply reminisce over old times.

Having a befriender enables them to do things, it also empowers them and boosts their self-esteem. "It seems a small thing to visit somebody, but it can make a world of difference," says Jessica.

"It's somebody going and reminding them of what they are worth beyond an illness. That they are still a person with a lot to offer."

  • For more information about the Befriending Scheme call (01274) 743880.
Fact File
  • Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, affecting 500,000 people in the UK. It was first described by the German neurologist Alois Alzheimer as a physical disease affecting the brain. During the course of the disease plaques' and tangles' develop in the brain, leading to the death of brain cells.
  • People with Alzheimer's have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means gradually over time parts of the brain are damaged and the symptoms become more severe.
  • In the early stages people may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words. As the disease progresses, sufferers will need more support with all their daily activities.
  • For more information about the condition visit www.alzheimers.org.uk or call the helpline from 8.30- 6.30pm Monday to Friday on 0845 300 0336.