A PROJECT that supports people suffering from dementia has been given a welcome funding boost.

Recipients of the latest round of funding from the Big Lottery Fund have been revealed today.

In total, more than £1.7m has been awarded to good causes, charities and community groups in the South West.

In Dorset, £328,544 has been awarded to the county councils’ ‘Stepping Into Nature’ project.

A statement from The Big Lottery Fund says: ‘The funding will be used fro a project that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of older people in Dorset, including those living with dementia.

‘The project will offer participants and their carers the opportunity to experience and enjoy the Dorset coast and countryside, with the aim of delaying the onset of memory problems and reducing social isolation.’ A spokesman for the council further added: "The grant will enable Dorset AONB to extend the project over the next three years and across a wider area of Dorset.

"They will continue to work with the Alzheimer’s Society and other partners, such as forest schools and the Dorset Wildlife Trust, to offer a range of activities for people with dementia and their carers to be active in the landscape.

"Activities range from walking in the reed bed at Radipole to poetry at Max Gate to wood-working skills at Netherbury."

As part of Stepping Into Nature, there are clubs and activities people can get involved in.

If you have dementia or are caring for someone with dementia you are welcome to attend Greenwood Club, which meets on the first Friday of the month from 10am to noon or 1pm to 3pm at Howards Woods, Netherbury.

For more information contact Jill at Dorset Forest School on 07813814875 Or email jill@dorsetforestschool.org.

The council hopes to release further information about the award today.

Also as part of the Big Lottery Fund, Dorchester Trust for Counselling and Psychotherapy (DTCP0 has been awarded £3,108 which will help it work out how best to expand its service to help people living in Weymouth. It is hoped that using the money to carry out a feasibility study will help the organisation ‘improve the way in which it supports the needs of people who live in the isolated rural area.’

A spokesman for the Big Lottery Fund said: "Today’s funding will support a diverse range of projects that enable people to improve their skills, meet new people and strengthen their communities."