PIONEERING sessions aimed at helping people with dementia to live well are being rolled out across County Durham following initial successes.

Games for the Brain sessions were launched by the Alzheimer’s Society at Spennymoor Leisure Centre last May.

They have now been extended to Pelton Community Centre and will be launched at South Hetton’s Robin Todd Centre on Thursday, February 24.

Games for the Brain users enjoy activities such as table tennis, new age curling and boccia – all sports requiring good hand to eye co-ordination that have been shown to be potentially beneficial to cognitive health.

One of several people to benefit from the sessions in Spennymoor has been Jim Towns of Tudhoe.

From keen amateur boxer to a defender for a Sunday league football team, the former miner has been a sports fanatic all his life.

At 88 he remains active, often walking several miles a day and, more recently, taking up table tennis – despite devastating news two years ago that he had Alzheimer’s disease.

Mr Towns attends the sessions in with wife Betty, 86, who said: “He really looks forward to coming here. It’s not just about physical activity – there’s the social side of it too.

“And that’s also good for me. Caring for someone with dementia isn’t easy so when I come here I get a bit of respite and the opportunity to socialise with other carers.”

The Alzheimer’s Society runs the sessions in Spennymoor with the support of Bishop Auckland Table Tennis Club.

Janette Briggs, a dementia support worker for the charity, said: “People think that once you’re diagnosed with dementia you’re on a downward spiral.

“But we have shown with our Games for the Brain initiative that people’s balance and co-ordination can actually improve.”

For further information about the Games for the Brain sessions in South Hetton and Pelton call Ms Briggs on 0191 3890400.