SEVEN new dementia services will soon be up and running in Leigh.

The projects were selected at a Dragons’ Den-style event in February in a bid to make Leigh ‘dementia friendly’.

Contented dementia workshops and a film project, run by Maureen O’Bern and Anthony Hill for WLCT at Leigh Library, received the most votes from Leigh residents.

The sessions will feature specially produced films and interactive workshops designed to stimulate reminiscence and conversation between people with dementia.

Maureen said: “We’re combining films with the workshops and music so it will be really interactive.

“I have run similar sessions before and it’s amazing what memories can be triggered and how much families can find out about their loved one that they never knew.

“It’s a great shared experience and is valuable for the whole family.”

Cadence Classic Cinema Club, reminiscence through film, and Sensoriel CIC – mobile multi-sensory sessions for people with dementia – came joint second in the vote.

Liv Bickerstaff, Wigan Council assistant director of adult early intervention and prevention, said: “The people of Leigh have really got behind the work we are doing and it’s their support which will help to sustain these projects.

“As people continue to live longer, dementia will become one of the biggest health and social care challenges this country will face.

“As a council, with responsibility for public health, we are keen to lead on addressing this challenge locally, but we need communities to look at what they need and what they can deliver in their area to really make this work.”

Other projects that have received council funding are memorable melodies, a dementia buddy website, awareness role play workshops and open door play.