HELP is desperately needed to prevent the closure of a programme developed for people with dementia.

While some of the services provided by the Alzheimer’s Society will remain open, the monthly Singing for the Brain and activity groups at The Salvation Army Community Hall could grind to a halt. 

The decision by the charity to no longer run the sessions was made after the team at the Alzheimer’s Society were unable to secure sufficient funding from the council.

David Akers, of Gregory Close, Old Hall, who has been caring for his 69-year-old wife Clare since she was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in November 2012, is a regular to the classes, which were launched five years ago.

The 69-year-old retired antique prints seller said he was shocked to discover the groups' fate and is desperate to find a solution to keep the sessions open.

He said: "It is a fantastic group and I can't even begin to tell you what it has done for Clare.

"She loves the group. She does not interact during the session as she is taking it all in.

"But when we get in the car she is singing all the way home - it makes her feel happy.”

The Singing for the Brain programme promotes communication through singing and is proven to help with articulation, concentration, focus and motivation. 

David, who has been married to Clare for almost 50 years, added: "In her life Clare has raised more than £100,000 for charities and good causes and she would never give up. 

"So I'm not going to give up fighting to keep these groups going."

But while funding has not yet been secured, Mandy Gough, local services manager, remains hopeful that these challenges will not mean the end.

She said: "We have a good relationship with Warrington Borough Council and are working with them to identify further funding. 

"We are also exploring a range of options that could allow the group to continue temporarily whilst these discussions are ongoing.”

This could include volunteers taking over the groups. 

With an estimated 2,300 people living with dementia in Warrington, services including the Dementia Cafe will remain open, it has been confirmed.

Jo Hawkins, operations manager for Cheshire and St Helens, said: "We recognise that many local authorities are facing funding challenges and have to make difficult decisions. 

“Making changes or reducing our services is always very hard.

“We will continue to work with the council and local agencies to try and find other funding or identify other organisations that could be involved. 

"We have reluctantly proposed closing the group to enable us to concentrate our resources locally on providing our specialist one to one dementia service that has supported more than 200 families this year.

"We will continue to support those families directly affected through our other services”.

Could you help sponsor the group? E-mail lauren.hirst@nqnw.co.uk.

The council have been contacted for a comment but have yet to respond.