Going back to ‘classroom’ to help with dementia

Harborough District Council is working with Lutterworth Share and Care, Northampton University, Gazeley and Lutterworth College on the project which provides a ‘classroom’ environment for people with dementia to re-learn skills, as a group, which can help improve memory and reduce the decline in mental capacity associated with the disease. 

It is believed the project is one of the first of its kind to be run in the UK having been trialled elsewhere in Europe. 

Harborough District Council has allocated £58,000 to help develop facilities at the Estates House at Lutterworth College to provide an accessible venue for the project.

The funding has been allocated from Section S106 money which is provided by developers for community projects and social infrastructure in locations where development has taken place – in this case, namely Bill Crane Way and Gilmorton Road in Lutterworth. 

Councillor Michael Rickman, Harborough District Council’s Communities lead, said: “We’re very excited about being involved in this innovative project and we are confident it will be of huge benefit for those involved.”

The project offers structured inter-generational educational programmes which promote positive physical and mental wellbeing and encourage lifelong learning for people diagnosed with dementia and their carers, young adults, and wider community groups.

People are invited to submit grant applications during the next round of funding; details will be made available on the council's website at www.harborough.gov.uk/grants