A charity is running the country's first "men only" respite care project in York.

Age Concern's Male Care Worker Scheme is aimed at helping older men with dementia who prefer male company.

Four part-time male care workers are currently giving regular vital breaks to the wives and families of ten dependent men in the York area.

They take the men out on walks, swimming, bowling, shopping, and on visits to pubs, museums and garden centres.

"Their carers - most of whom are wives - have all said how much the scheme has helped them by taking the pressure off and giving them time to relax," said charity spokeswoman Monica Dunham.

"They've used the time for a variety of activities, from shopping and having their hair done to going to the gym."

One of the care workers, Richard York, takes three men out every week on different days. "All three are very different and present a different challenge," said Richard, a retired printing and publishing worker.

"One likes going for long walks, another chap likes going to church and the other, Dave, from Tang Hall, likes going out to a country pub for a meal."

Dave's wife, Connie, says the scheme has been a life-line as she copes with looking after her 76-year-old husband, who has Alzheimer's disease.

"It's very hard work, especially when you are not well yourself and if your family live away," she said.

"You could get depressed and crack up."

She also praised a Befriending Scheme run by the Alzheimer's Society, under which someone had befriended her, giving her vital support.

Monica said York and Selby Alzheimer's Society had funded the Male Care Worker project as a pilot scheme for the past year. Because it had proved a success, the society had agreed to fund it for a second year, but could not do so beyond March 2002.

"We need to find alternative funding after that."

Monica Dunham can be contacted on York 627995.

Updated: 12:36 Thursday, March 22, 2001