A West Yorkshire charity supporting people living with dementia has received a £1,000 donation to help support its new weekly telephone service.

Alzheimer’s Society West Yorkshire received the funds from Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, as part of its Community Champion initiative.

Alzheimer’s Society has had to adapt the ways in which it works, due to Covid-19, with its face-to-face services being temporarily replaced with a telephone support service, Companions Calls. The telephone-based Dementia Advisers ensure individuals’ wellbeing and offer advice or signposting to Advisers .Persimmon’s donation will help fund this service as well as its research at Leeds and Bradford University.

Julie Lee from Alzheimer’s Society West Yorkshire, said: “There are currently 25,000 people living with dementia across West Yorkshire and we work hard to support them and their families. Our telephone support service, through our Dementia Friends programme, is a lifeline for many of the people we work with.

Christopher Hull, deputy managing director for Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said: “The Community Champions match-funding initiative seeks to support grassroots groups and charities in areas where the company is building.

“We’re delighted to be supporting such a valuable charity during these challenges time.”

Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire makes two donations of up to £1,000 every month. The online application form can be found at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity