ORGANISERS are looking ahead to next Christmas following another successful memory ball.

Luke Pickering-Jones helped organise the Memory Cafe ball held at the Civic Hall last month and he said it was a huge success.

Over 100 people turned up to the event, which is put on for people living with dementia and their carers.

He told the Leader: "It went really well and everyone really enjoyed it.

"All the volunteers who come every year absolutely loved it too, they adored being able to sit down and talk to people.

"Music is really powerful for people with dementia. In a way, they are all taken back to a time they remember and suddenly you've got this buzz.

"It brings people out of their dementia and gives them something to enjoy and for the carers, it gives them the opportunity to reconnect with their loved ones.

"A lot of people would have gone home that evening and remembered the ball, not necessarily what they had done, but that they had a good time and it was a really good start to Christmas and new year for them."

The ball, which is in its third year, was held at the Civic Hall in Connah's Quay and organised for members of memory cafe's around Flintshire.

Attendees enjoyed an evening of refreshments and entertainment and were encouraged to reminisce about a ball they would have gone to back in their day.

Luke, planning and development officer of NEWCIS (a charity which provides support for young carers) added: "It's all about getting people to reminisce and provide an event similar to a traditional ball they would have gone to back in the day.

"Gifts were donated from Boots which where given out by Santa and we had the use of the hall for free from Connah's Quay Town Council which was great.

"Lots of people from the community came and had a great time. It's quite a big thing for Flintshire and we host a variety of events throughout the year for people living with dementia such as dementia friendly cinema screenings."