Building has started on a new day centre for people with dementia.

Funded by Richmond Council, the Department for Health and Homelink, Homelink Day Centre in Whitton will be completely rebuilt at a cost of more than £1m to provide care for those with dementia.

Based in Hospital Bridge Road, Homelink provides day respite care for residents to give their carers a well deserved break.

Council cabinet member for adult services Councillor David Marlow said: “Richmond will soon have one of the best care environments for people with dementia in the country.

“The council greatly values the support the Homelink Day Centre has given to people with dementia over the years and they thoroughly deserve this investment.

“Supporting our most vulnerable residents is a priority for the council and we will always do what we can to help organisations such as Homelink.”

Chief operations officer at Homelink Day Respite Centre Sue Hodder added: “We are particularly looking forward to having additional space and rooms in which treatments and activities that both clients and their carers can utilise.”