A DEMENTIA cafe will open in a south Herefordshire village this May, following planning approval.

A community interest group named Care and Repair Enterprise (CARE) was set up in Pontrilas in 2013 to save the village's post office and reduce social isolation.

The group has now received planning permission for a change of use at two empty warehouse units based on Pontrilas Business Park.

The units will be converted into a dementia friendly cafe and form part of the group's wellbeing hub and open in May 2017.

Sonya Cary, from CARE, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be in a position to provide community services that benefit local residents in the Golden Valley directly.

"As a local initiative organised and operated by local residents, I think its a great story that many 'other' local initiatives could take encouragement from."

Plans set in operation will see a social café and activity hub which will engage not only community residents, but those who have been diagnosed with dementia.

Sonya said: "We are delighted to become the first community wellbeing hub in south Herefordshire to join the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA).

"The DAA is made up of over 100 organisations committed to transforming the quality of life of people living with dementia and their carers."

Café@CARE will connect local people and its communities through daily social activities whilst engaging with Alzheimer’s Society.

The ‘dementia friendly’ inclusion activities enables people with dementia and their carers to take part in day to day social events.

Sonya added: "Keeping occupied and stimulated can improve quality of life for the person with dementia, as well as for those around them."