Home improvement grant for Burnley dementia sufferers

Burnley Council is offering a grant of up to £1,000 for people with dementia or memory loss to help make their lives easier.
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The home improvement dementia grant can be used to pay for a range of adaptations to their home or to provide equipment which may help them in their day-to-day lives.

This could include buying bespoke products for their home or even something as simple as the use of colour and contrast to aid orientation in the house.

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The grant will take the form of adaptations and equipment to the property rather than a monetary award. It will be available until the end of March 2021. The council consulted Burnley Dementia Alliance before deciding to go ahead with the scheme.

Dementia sufferers in Burnley could receive a grant of up to £1,000Dementia sufferers in Burnley could receive a grant of up to £1,000
Dementia sufferers in Burnley could receive a grant of up to £1,000

Coun. John Harbour, the council’s executive member for housing, said: “This grant could help pay for a few simple changes that will make a world of difference to someone with dementia.

“The number of people suffering from this terrible illness is rising. In our borough alone it is estimated that more than 1,000 people are living with dementia. This funding will help provide much-needed support and help make it easier for them to continue living at home.”

To be eligible for a grant the person must be a resident of the borough of Burnley, either in their own home or as a tenant, and have received a clinical diagnosis of dementia or experiencing memory loss.

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The Homewise Society, an Accrington-based charity that aims to improve the quality of life for older and disabled people, will deliver the grant on behalf of the council and arrange for any equipment and adaptations to be provided.

Applicants must be referred to the scheme, either through a range of agencies or via self-referral or through family members. Applications should be made to Homewise, either by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 01254 232249. Applications will be assessed by its staff before a final decision is made.

The grants will be met from the Better Care Fund, a pot of money provided to the council by central Government.

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