WIGAN Council is digging in to help people living with dementia in Tyldesley.

Sufferers are being given the chance to develop gardening skills by working on allotments at the Patchwork Community Plot as part of the the Grow for Giving project.

A new log cabin named Hope Cottage is the base at Tyldesley Allotments where people living with dementia and people with learning difficulties will be able to come and work on the plots.

Pamela Jones-Brown, Grow for Giving co-ordinator, said: “We believe that people diagnosed with dementia can still achieve and participate in outdoor activities if they have the appropriate support and opportunity.

“We all need to understand that it is a scary time for everyone diagnosed but we also need to learn that there is still a need for the person to feel valued and able to participate in enjoyable and fulfilling activities.”

Around 800,000 people in the UK have dementia and the figure is predicted to rise to more than a million by 2021. In Wigan Borough it is estimated around 3,200 people have dementia, although it may be more as many people with the condition do not receive a formal diagnosis.

Jo Willmott, Wigan Council’s assistant director for provider management, said: “We are grateful to Grow for Giving for offering this exciting and innovative approach to supporting people living with dementia and those with learning disabilities.

“As part of our Deal for Adult Social Care we want to give people choice to ensure they’re accessing activities that they want to take part in.

“This new approach is helping to enhance people’s lives and their well-being while also helping reduce the amount of money the council is spending on daycare and respite care costs.”

The project, which is supported by Wigan Council's Deal, was launched on May 1.