SCHOOLCHILDREN have been decorating zimmer frames to help stop people with dementia falling.

Pupils aged between seven and 11 from Stanford Junior School, Hove, teamed up with a dementia ward to create bespoke zimmer frames.

The lucky patients are from Brunswick Ward, a specialist dementia unit at Mill View Hospital in Hove which is run by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Brunswick Ward has been working with the Dementia Action Alliance, managed by Age UK Brighton and Hove, on the project, which aims to educate children about dementia and make Brighton and Hove dementia-friendly.

When a patient with dementia has a fall it can be particularly dangerous as they may not be able to communicate if they are in pain, but evidence shows that they are more likely to recognise and use personalised frames.

Pupils and staff at the school learnt about dementia in a session run by the Dementia Action Alliance.

Following the session, the pupils were given a selection of biographies of patients on Brunswick Ward.

Using these as their inspiration, they came up with designs which stand out from the crowd so patients can identify their zimmer frame and use it during their stay on the ward. The children submitted their designs for judging and the ten winning designs became reality.

Lauren D’Souza, matron at Brunswick Ward said: “Being practically involved in designing walking aids will help the children think about what it’s like to have dementia and what might help someone with the condition.

“I believe it is one of our responsibilities to reach out to the people around us and raise awareness and understanding of the illness.”