A COMMUNITY choir which helps those living with dementia has been given a £1,000 boost after landing a community grant.

Braintree Council is appealing for community groups and projects to come forward to receive funding.

The Councillors' Community Grants scheme gives funding to groups and organisations to support local projects and initiatives which benefit the people of Braintree district.

The latest group to receive funding is the dementia-friendly choir in Halstead.

Inspired by the BBC’s dementia choir with Vicky McClure, the dementia-friendly choir is run in partnership with Halstead Community Choir and Colne View care home.

The free sessions are held at the Halstead Empire Theatre every Wednesday and run from 11am to 12.30pm, with a meet and greet, plus a break for free tea, coffee and biscuits.

The group were able to secure a Councillors' Community Grant of £1,000 from Braintree and Halstead councillors Jackie Pell and Mick Radley, to allow them to run workshops and a Christmas choir event.

Mr Radley said: “I think the Empire Theatre and their volunteers do a fantastic job.

“The volunteers give a lot of time in running the Theatre and have now got this up and running for the community.

“I think taking the initiative to add this dementia-friendly choir as part of their programme is really good as it touches and supports an important group in our community.

“It also gives an additional benefit in the further use of this important facility in our town, so “I am really pleased to be able to support it, as is councillor Pell.

He added: “Don’t be afraid to apply for grants.

“My experience is that I sometimes have to prompt people to apply rather than make a conscious decision on which grants to accept.

“People shouldn’t be afraid to apply, because the funds are there to do good for our community and I think it’s a good initiative and one that people need to know more about.”