MORE than £300,000 is being awarded to a charity to support people with dementia.

The money, which has come from central Government and National Lottery funding is going to the Colchester-based charity Community 360.

The £330,000 has been given to the charity on behalf of strategic partnership, One Colchester, to make the borough dementia friendly.

Colchester is one of ten places around the country receiving the money from the Place Based Social Action programme of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport along with the National Lottery Community Fund.

This money is being topped up with contributions from North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group and Colchester Council.

The initial grant, which will begin from April, will last for three years with an opportunity for it to be extended further.

The money will be used to establish community support groups, and make the borough more accessible for people living with dementia.

It will also pay for dementia training for staff who deal directly with the public and families.

Community360 chief executive officer Tracy Rudling, said: “I am delighted our bid for this funding has been successful and we can now develop our work with people with dementia.

“Although we are leading this project, we will be working with many partners, large and small, to make the borough dementia friendly.

“We also want to learn lessons we can share with other places around the country.”

Ed Garratt, the interim accountable officer of North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said it was pleased to help to fund this important project.

Tina Bourne, Colchester councillor responsible for housing and communities, added: “It’s great news One Colchester has been awarded this lottery funding.

“Dementia is a challenging and life-changing condition that can affect anyone at any age.

“This funding means the partnership can continue to raise awareness of the condition and deliver improvements to make Colchester a better place for those affected by dementia to live well.”