DORSET is set to lead the way as a dementia friendly arts county with a new programme being launched in the county.

Arts 4 Dementia (A4D), a national charity that connects people with early stage dementia to the arts, is launching the programme for people experiencing early symptoms of dementia and their companions this month.

There will be weekly arts sessions for people with mild memory loss and dementia as well as special dementia awareness training for arts providers in a bid to enable the long term sustainability of dementia friendly arts across the county.

The 2017 programme will also include the Reawakening festival from May 15 to June 9, which will be a celebration of Dorset’s arts and heritage, from the Jurassic Coast to Thomas Hardy, horticulture, organ music, choirs and contemporary dance.

Over the coming weeks, A4D will also map all local arts activities for people with dementia in Dorset as well as those that can help prevent onset.

Charity founder Veronica Franklin Gould said: "With more than 13,400 people in Dorset living with dementia and many more being diagnosed each month, the need to provide support for those with the condition, their families and carers has never been more important.

"Time and again, we see that the risk of developing dementia can be lowered and its progress slowed by taking part in painting, singing, dancing and others arts activities.

"We hope that this new programme will help the county - with its rich cultural heritage - lead the way in making the arts more accessible, helping those with dementia live fulfilling and active lives in the community for as long as possible."

The charity will work closely with organisations such as Bournemouth University, the Alzheimer's Society and the NHS as it moved towards its long term goal of developing a framework that will see arts activity integrated into the dementia care pathway.

Dr Paul French, the dementia lead for NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "Starting dementia friendly arts activities at the point of diagnosis could bring a new level of support to those living with dementia and also improve their symptoms and overall wellbeing."

Joanna Malyon, Alzheimer’s Society Dorset services manager, added: "Mapping dementia friendly arts venues and bringing in programmes to help mild cognitive impairment as well as early stage dementia will be a real help.

"Reawakening events will add valued opportunities for people to access the arts locally."

There will be weekly arts sessions at the Dorset County Museum from February 2 as well as at St Pter's Church in Bournemouth from February 14.

The first training date for arts providers is on January 26 at the Town Hall at Dorchester's Corn Exchange.

For more information visit arts4dementia.org.uk