VOLUNTEERS at a dementia support group are ‘over the moon’ after being recognised as a charity four years after the group’s inception.

Butterflies Dementia Support and Activities Group was founded by Julie Brown in 2015 and helps offer support for people and families affected by dementia. They offer weekly meetings and a range of activities which aim to combat isolation in those with the disease.

It was announced that Butterflies had achieved charity status which Julie says will ‘open a lot of doors’ for the charity.

“I was absolutely over the moon when we found out that we are now a registered charity,” said Julie. “This means that we can get more help and people can formally fund-raise for us if they want. It became that gaining charity status was the only way forward for us and I am so happy that we’ve managed to achieve that. We need funding to help keep going and this will open up lots of opportunities for us.”

As well as achieving charity status, Butterflies was also announced as the Yorkshire and Humberside regional winner in the Great British Care Awards in category of Putting People First. The team collected their award in a ceremony held at the National Railway Museum, York and are now through to the national awards which will be held in Birmingham in March.

“It was a complete surprise to be nominated,” added Julie. “When we won we were so shocked and I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet. It just nice to be recognised for all the work we do.”