DEMENTIA Friendly Keighley is celebrating a £300,000-plus boost.

The charity has been awarded £326,882 in National Lottery funding to support and develop its work.

Dementia Friendly Keighley – which currently has three employed staff, plus a team of volunteers – raises awareness of the condition and provides a range of advice, support, information and activities from its base in the Airedale Shopping Centre.

The funding will enable the charity to maintain and expand its provision for people living with dementia, and their carers, and build on existing relationships with health care providers.

Also, the organisation will trial a Saturday opening to increase access to its centre, and is looking to appoint a chief executive.

Helen Bradley, chair of trustees at Dementia Friendly Keighley, says: "We’re delighted the National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work.

"The number of people with dementia is growing and now, thanks to National Lottery players, we'll be able to continue to offer more services and more bespoke support from our centre. This will help improve understanding of dementia in the community, but also – for those who attend the centre – offer opportunities to build relationships with others facing similar challenges and create a support network."