BOROUGH of Poole has called for local residents to support a £5,000 funding bid, to help people with dementia.

The ‘Home Safely’ Aviva Community Fund Bid, submitted by Colmans Insurance and supported by Dorset charity Pramacare, has been made to purchase Home Safely bracelets, a new project running across Bournemouth and Poole.

These bracelets, for people at risk of wandering - who may forget where they live, their name or their carer – will carry a unique pin number enabling their carer to be contacted. Each bracelet will cost up to £25 and the plan is for them to be recycled.

Poole council’s strategic director Jan Thurgood explained: “With the number of people experiencing dementia increasing each year schemes like this are key to helping them retain their independence.

“A Home Safely bracelet provides peace of mind to their carer knowing that should they get lost, their contact details are registered.

“We are pleased to show our support for this scheme and hope residents across Dorset will go online and make use of their votes to help us secure the vital funding needed to make this project a success.”

It is hoped the project, that was launched at AFC Bournemouth earlier this year, will lessen the demand on Dorset Police, who currently deal with reported incidents, and also reduce the numbers of avoidable admissions to hospital.

Colmans Insurance director Peter Moody said: “Knowing how best to care for someone with dementia can be overwhelming.

“The Home Safely bracelets offer precious independence for those with dementia and peace of mind for their loved ones and carers.”

It is thought there are 800,000 to one million people living with some form of dementia in the UK. Borough of Poole says the numbers in Dorset are very high because of the large ageing and retired community here.

The bid needs local community support to help ensure its success. Voting closes online on May 31. Visit community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/825/ to register. Once registered, you can vote up to 10 times.