THE son of a man who died of Dementia has used his dad’s death to help inspire others living with the condition.

Neil Floyd’s father Samuel Floyd lived with the condition for 10 years before he passed away aged 83 in 2013.

Throughout his dad’s decade-long battle, Mr Floyd, who lives in Oswaldtwistle, cared for his dad and visited him regularly at the nursing home where he stayed in Pendle.

His experience of caring for his late father, who had also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, has now inspired him to set-up his community health workshops in Hyndburn to help people living with Dementia.

During the workshops, people’s photos are converted into colouring pages so they can discuss their own memories while they colour.

Photos can be of their family, friends or the local area, while colouring pages of Hyndburn scenes past and present will be available to colour at the events, which are designed to trigger the memories of those living with Dementia.

Mr Floyd, 49, said: “I used to visit him regularly in the nursing home and administer his medicines for him.

“While he was there, he would always be colouring with me and it helped him to trigger his memory and events from the past which we would then talk about.”

Mr Floyd, set up My Colourful Memories CIC, a charity which provides free community art activities for people with dementia and other mental health problems, living in Hyndburn and East Lancashire, after his dad died.

He will hold the free community art health workshops in Tesco stores in Accrington and Great Harwood.

He said: “Last year I created a unique colouring book for people with a dementia diagnosis, the book received national attention and the idea came from caring for my late father who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia.

“The community workshops have evolved from the concept of the colouring book, using illustrations to trigger long-term memories and conversations.

“Because the activity promotes long term memory it becomes an ideal activity for carers and people with early to mid stages of Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.”

Michelle Pilling, lay advisor quality and patient involvement, and deputy chairman of East Lancashire CCG, who have helped fund the project, said social prescribing is a powerful and useful means of investing in our communities and reducing demand on the NHS.

“We have now also seen the practical benefits that these schemes have had in supporting independence, reducing social isolation, building confidence and self-esteem, and improving the overall health and wellbeing of people in all of our communities,” said Mr Pilling.

The full dates of the events in Hyndburn are: Accrington Tesco Store on July 26, August 9, August 23, September 6 , September 20, October 4 and October 18. Great Harwood Tesco Store on July 19, August 2, August 16, August 30, September 13 and September 27.