THREE organisations are working together on a project to give people with dementia and their careers the opportunity to take part in activities in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Ilkley and District U3A is working in partnership with The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and Dementia Friendly Ilkley Action on a project to give people living with the disease and their carers a chance to take part in activities in the outdoors in the Dales

Many people living with dementia and their carers find it difficult to access outdoor activities and travel into the Dales, say organisers, but would love to as they did before their diagnosis.

The first stage of the project is a feasibility study to ascertain the level of interest, possible activities and what barriers people feel prevents them from accessing the outdoors.

If there proves to be a demand for this scheme, it is planned to run two pilot sessions in the summer and then apply for funding to run a programme of activities in 2017.

A recent report by Natural England consulted people living with dementia and their carers to establish the key benefits from engaging with the natural environment and the barriers that prevent them from doing so.

A major finding of the report says: "Many people with dementia can enjoy the natural environment given the right support (and information).

"Even people with dementia, who have restricted mobility, can enjoy time in nature, especially if accompanied or supported by someone who knows (and understands) them.

"People in the later stages of dementia, including those with no verbal communication, can still enjoy the natural environment, especially parks or listening to the birds and music outdoors, or slightly more ambitious activities, such as community gardening or farming."

Members of Ilkley U3A talked to those living with dementia and their carers at the Alzheimer’s Society Wellbeing Café at the Clarke Foley Centre, and found there is a keen interest in accessing the National Park and taking part in activities like farm visits and short walks.

Barriers included transport and making sure there is access to facilities, such as toilets.

The group would now like to hear from more people living with dementia and their carers living in Ilkley and the wider district about this subject.

Questionnaires can be found at The Clarke Foley Centre, Ilkley Library or Ilkley and Addingham medical centres. It can also be filled in online at the surveymonkey.com/r/RBXNJSF web page. E-mail dementiaoutdoors@gmail.com or call 01943 839607 for further information.