A MEETING centre in Leominster for people with dementia and their carers is set to remain open after being taken over by one woman who knows just how important the service is.

The Leominster Meeting Centre opened in February 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.

However, no long-term funding for the centre was in place and although the Alzheimer's Society extended its financial contribution until the end of August, the centre faced an uncertain future.

That was until Joy Valentini, whose husband Euclid has been going to the centre since February last year, having been diagnosed with dementia in July 2015, stepped in to ensure the vital service can continue.

She said: "The Alzheimer's Society finished at the end of last week and I have taken over with my domestic care agency Ab Fab Care Agency as of September 1.

"It will still be called the Meeting Centre. We have set up a charity and that will be what's looking after the whole centre but I will be running it on a daily basis.

"I'm really excited about it. None of the bigger firms were interested in taking it on and, as one of the trustees for the charity, I suggested that it I might be able to do it. Everybody was in agreement so that's where we are.

"Hopefully we can make a seamless continuation from the Alzheimer's Society to us. Staff are staying on and everything will stay the same – we'll work from the same model. We've had a very good response – everybody is really happy."

The centre provides personalised support, activities and services and information sessions, with all sessions built around the hobbies and interests of those who attend.

During Herefordshire Art Week (h.Art), the Meeting Centre will host a fringe event featuring an exhibition of work created by members.

The centre will keep the same opening times of between 10am and 3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Fore more information call 01568 368180 or email leominstermeetingcentre@gmail.com