Leeds Jewish Welfare Board intends to transform its dementia services after receiving a three-year Lottery grant of more than £400,000 for a new initiative, The Living Project.

The award is specifically to develop services for elderly dementia sufferers and will fund trained co-ordinators and support workers.

In addition, the money will help the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff community centre to become a centre of excellence by providing a dedicated dementia unit incorporating cutting-edge technology for early prevention and ongoing support and care.

LJWB chief executive Liz Bradbury said that "dementia is a challenging issue both for people with the illness and their carers, due to the associated high levels of social isolation, depression and anxiety. The Living Project aims to change this."

Research suggests that the progression of dementia can be slowed through regular physical, social and mental activity.

As delays in a formal diagnosis can have a negative impact, the project will also support those with symptoms but no formal diagnosis.

On referral, the sufferer and their carer will be seen by a dementia response co-ordinator to identify the help they need to live independently for as long as possible. An action plan will be produced and advice provided on resources available through LJWB and other voluntary organisations.

"We recognise the value that carers make and we will be offering support and counselling for them," Ms Bradbury said.

LJWB will be one of the first UK organisations to use Savion, a computer programme developed in Israel offering cognitive stimulation.

The charity currently assists 150 people with dementia but expects that figure to double over three years.