A CHARITY is appealing for volunteers to help launch a scheme to keep people with dementia active through sport.

Claire Morris, a dementia support worker at the Alzheimer’s Society, hopes to recruit a team of volunteers to support the new Games for the Brain project.

The project will be launched at Spennymoor Leisure Centre in Spennymoor, County Durham, this month and will be open to people with dementia across the county.

Ms Morris, who is based at the charity’s Chester-le-Street office, said: “Games for the Brain is a six-week programme of indoor sports activity sessions for people living with dementia.

“It’s aimed at men and younger people who are currently living with dementia in County Durham who want to continue with sporting activities they enjoy such as table tennis and for their carers to socialise with people who may be in a similar situation.”

More than 6,800 people in County Durham and 1,450 in Darlington have dementia and, with these figure set to rise, the Alzheimer’s Society is exploring new ways to help people who are living with the condition.

Ms Morris added: “This will be a really enjoyable project in lots of ways. Volunteering with us provides the opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills and share interest in sports with others to enhance the health and well-being of people living with dementia.”

For more information, contact 0191 3890400 or Claire.white@alzheimers.org.uk