A SPECIALIST support group for working age people suffering from dementia in Wyre Forest is being launched tomorrow.

Al's Way is a project born out of a partnership between the charity, Crossroads Caring for Carers, and a small band of carers led by Bewdley woman, Dawn Edmonds.

The 48-year-old cares for her husband Dave, 57, who contracted Alzheimer's disease when he was just 53.

"We are mid-life people with an old people's disease and we do not fit anywhere," said Mrs Edmonds, adding that there were an estimated 140 to 200 sufferers under pensionable age in Worcestershire.

She had been appalled to discover that there were no services for younger sufferers, as all the available support was directed at older people who were more likely to suffer from dementia.

The project has secured county council funding for two part-time support workers who will provide active one-to-one support to people of working age who have dementia in north Worcestershire, including Wyre Forest.

They will help to meet the leisure and social needs of sufferers to enable active people to participate in their favourite activities or to support them in trying something new.

"Al's Way Project is dedicated to restoring and preserving a person's well-being. By being creative and positive it is possible to help a younger person with dementia to remain stimulated and active and continue to enjoy a good quality of life," said Mrs Edmonds, of Snuff Mill Walk.

Al's Way will be launched at the Crossroads offices in Sansome Place, Worcester, tomorrow, during an open day from 10am until 7pm.

Creative people with an interest and professional or personal experience of working with people who have dementia are invited.

For more information, contact Chris Christie at Crossroads on 01905 729293.