A total of �420,000 in funding is being made available during next year under a new scheme to help people battling with dementia in Norfolk and Suffolk.

A new initiative, the Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance, is asking applicants to apply for funding which could see their idea or organisation benefit from as much as �70,000.

Up to six applications could be successful, three in the first round in January and three more next July.

Willie Cruickshank, of the alliance, said: 'The funding is initially intended for organisations in the Norfolk and Suffolk Health Innovation and Education Cluster (HIEC) but that doesn't mean other organisations can't apply. The idea being there are a lot of people out there working in the field and providing people with dementia care.

'We are not stipulating that only people in statutory health organisation have good ideas – it means anyone in Norfolk and Suffolk can apply. It could be an individual looking after a dementia sufferer or someone working in health care. I would welcome any idea within the criteria but they must have evidence to support their proposed ideas.

'There are little groups out there looking after people with dementia in little villages or towns. We want to share what they are doing and spread it across the rest of the country.'

Dementia is recognised as one of the biggest health and social challenges in the country, with the number of sufferers predicted to rise by 51pc within the next 15 years. In Norfolk the number is expected to increase by 62pc in that time – pushing the total to above 20,000 – and in Suffolk by 65pc.

Mr Cruickshank said: 'Because more and more people are affected, more and more people are thinking about it and we need to tap into this expertise and knowledge and see what we can do with it.'

Applicants are asked to submit a proposal by next month.

Mr Cruickshank added: 'The aim is to provide patient and person incentive care. On the professional side we have some ideas but that doesn't mean other people don't have these ideas. Someone out there will have good ideas about how we can improve on things.'

Mr Cruickshank also said that if suitable candidates were not found then the money would 'remain in the resource pot' and be carried over.

He added: 'There is also a hope that we will be able to continue with the programme after next year.'

The Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance was one of 17 successful applicants across the country who won a bid from the Department of Health, and was awarded �650,000 to use on research and innovation.

The closing date for applicants is 5pm on November 25. Successful applicants will be asked to attend the HIEC board meeting on January 11, 2012. A maximum of two-page applications are to be emailed only to info@dementia-alliance.com. For more information visit www.dementia-alliance.com

donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk