The United Grand Lodge of England, located on Birmingham Road in Bromsgrove, and the Masonic Charitable Foundation are boosting the annual campaign for sufferers of dementia by donating 20,000 Art Therapy Books.

As part of Dementia Action Week running from May 13 to 19, these books are set to be shared across 150 hospital wards, dementia charities and support groups across the UK.

This is in addition to care homes offered by the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Co, Peabody Trust, Runwood Homes, Westgate Healthcare and B&M Care, all providing residential care for those affected by dementia.

The initiative, led by Essex Freemason David Barton who founded 'Get Started Art', will aid management of anxiety and apathy symptoms through creative therapy.

Over the past six months, Barton's project has already donated 80,000 colouring books to multiple charities, including Mencap, Mind, Alzheimer’s UK, and 15 NHS Trusts.

Danielle Neligan at NHS Hospitals Charity said: "Thanks to the kind donation of art therapy books from ‘Get Started Art’, we have been able to support teams across our hospitals to make a real difference to the experience of patients, such as those living with dementia."

David Martin of Westgate Healthcare said: "We are deeply grateful for this thoughtful donation of art books. These books will not only serve as sources of inspiration and enjoyment but also as tools for therapeutic expression and social interaction for our elderly community members.

"It has been quite humbling to be honest but with the nationwide support of Freemasons, ‘Get Started Art’ is committed to providing assistance to those in need and, through our donations, alleviating some of the anxiety associated with these conditions."