SECOND World War items, wedding dresses, jewellery and kitchen goods are needed by a Dorset care home to give residents with dementia a key to their past.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society charity there are 750,000 people currently with dementia in the UK and 64 per cent of people living in care homes are affected by the illness.

There are several types of dementia and symptoms include loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.

At Maiden Castle House in Gloucester Road, Dorchester, many residents suffer with the condition and staff provide specialist care including group and individual work.

The care home is appealing for donations of items that could help residents to remember their past lives, careers and hobbies.

Activities organiser Jenny Webster said: “We’re looking for items that promote reminiscence.

“We have reminiscence in groups or sometimes it’s one-to-one if someone’s feeling upset or lonely.

“We give them an item and ask questions like ‘Do you remember using one of these?’, or ‘Did you used to cook meals for your family?’, if it’s a piece of jewellery we could say ‘Did your husband ever buy you jewellery?’ “We have things around the home so that people can pick them up and talk to each other about them.”

She added: “It’s a great way to get them to speak. It has a calming effect. We have things to touch like bridesmaids dresses, wedding dresses and even a tin helmet from the Second World War. It’s really anything that might jog someone’s memory of past times.”

The home is looking for old items like clothes, hats, records, books and household items.

The items will be collected and used in the group and individual work.

Mrs Webster said: “It’s a wonderful way to work with people.

“It works for both elderly residents and those with dementia. It really helps people.”

To donate items, call Maiden Castle House on 01305 251661 or drop them into reception at 12-14 Gloucester Road, Dorchester.