IMPORTANT funding is being sent to help a local dementia organisation to work with wildlife charity and a local hospice.

£180,000 in funding will fund outdoor wellness projects across county for people with dementia

Dignity in Dementia, an award-winning social enterprise based in the South Lakes, has, thanks to National Lottery players, received a second 3-year grant from The National Lottery Community Fund totalling £184,530.

As well as covering the salary of one of their dementia specialists for this period, the grant enables Dignity in Dementia to work in partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust and St Mary’s Hospice on a Woodland Wellness project.

There’s a wealth of research to show that spending time outdoors and close to nature can have a hugely positive effect on wellbeing.

After Covid lockdowns were relaxed a little, the organisation trialled an innovative programme of sessions for people living with dementia and their family carers, that took place in the woods on Arnside Knott.

The sessions were loosely based on the forest school model, with participants creating nature-related art, enjoying woodland-themed quizzes, stories and poems, eating soup warmed on a firepit and singing outdoor-related songs.

Whilst eating fish and chips on Arnside Beach, they also delighted in watching a spectacular sunset.

One family carer who regularly attends with her husband said, “We enjoy being outdoors and active.

“The sessions are varied, great fun and extremely enjoyable and the group is so welcoming and friendly.”

As the trial was so successful, the programme continued and Dignity in Dementia felt that others affected by dementia living in other parts of the county, should have the opportunity to access something similar.

They established a partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust, who have suitable sites at their nature reserves across Cumbria. Cumbria Wildlife Trust are keen to extend their work with people with dementia and will run sessions from their nature reserves in Penrith, Carlisle, Kendal, Walney and the West Coast. St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston will also trial them with outpatients in the hospice grounds.