THE future of a meeting centre in Leominster for people with dementia and their carers is looking bright.

The Leominster Meeting Centre opened on February 1 2016 as a joint-project between the Alzheimer’s Society, Herefordshire Council and the University of Worcester’s Association of Dementia Studies department until March this year.

The Hereford Times reported last month how concerns had been raised that the future of the centre was uncertain as there was no long-term statutory funding, however the Alzheimer's Society, University of Worcester and Leominster Meeting Centre Advisory Group have been developing a business case to explain the benefits of the service and explore ways it could be sustained.

The Alzheimer's Society has now confirmed that that funds will be made available the service to continue until the end of August 2017 – at which point it is hoped that service will achieve a successful transition or safe closure if this cannot be achieved.

Kumbi Mandinyenya, operations manager for Alzheimer’s Society in Herefordshire said: "We are grateful for all the input we have had from community members and local community development teams.

"The business case considers potential funding sources, providers, and governance arrangements to ensure Leominster Meeting Centre (LMC) continues to benefit people affected by dementia in the community.

“I am pleased to say that the LMC business case has clear merits and the local support for the Meeting Centre has been powerful.

"Alzheimer’s Society is now confirming that funds will be made available for Leominster Meeting Centre to allow the service to continue until the end of August 2017 at which point it is hoped that service will achieve a successful transition or safe closure if this cannot be achieved. "We are immensely proud of all the work that has taken place at Leominster Meeting Centre and its contribution to improving support for people with dementia locally and as a result of the research undertaken at LMC and hope this additional funding will secure the long term future of the Leominster Meeting Centre.”

Supporters of the centre are holding a promise auction at the White Lion in Leominster tomorrow (Friday, March 24) at 7.30pm, where a number of promises will be auctioned.

Luctonians will also be having a raffle at their home match on April 1 to raise money for the centre.