DEMENTIA sufferers in need of support have a place to turn to, thanks to a new centre supported by the Echo.

Carers Choices is running a support group two days a week at the Kent View Community Hall in Vange following the success of a similar group in Benfleet.

The charity was awarded £10,000 for its Benfleet centre from the Echo and its parent company, Gannett, last year.

As a result of its success similar support is now being rolled out in Basildon and Wickford.

Angela Allum, centre manager at Carers Choices, said: “Part of the reason we’ve been able to do this is because of the help we’ve had from the Gannett Foundation, without that it would never have happened.”

Dementia sufferers will take part in a number of different activities at the centre, including memory exercises and gentle physical exercise and gives their carers a muchneeded break.

Mrs Allum said: “This also acts as a respite for their loved ones which is just essential.

“If they don’t have any respite then they can end up in hospital, their loved one can and it causes problems.”

As well as opening the new centre, Carers Choices is also working with Basildon Council to hold awareness days at the Keats Way ShelteredRetirement Housing complex inWickford.

Mrs Allum said: “There is a real need for this and it’s proven the sooner people get help after diagnosis, the longer they can be cared for in their homes.

“We are trying to reach those who have recently had a diagnosis of dementia or their loved ones have.

“We believe that access to a specialist activity-led day centre not only keeps the mind active, but also encourages socialisation and provides a full day of respite for their carers.”

The information day will take place on Monday, October 12, between 10am and 1pm at the Sheltered Retirement Housing complex in Keats Way. Wickford.

FIFTY thousand carers in 2014 quit their job due to caring responsibilities, and a further 66,000 had to make adjustments at work, according to research endorsed by the UK government.

Most businesses have already provided or would consider providing a range of support to carers of someone living with dementia. A total of 87per cent of business surveyed have or would consider letting carers work flexible hours.

Carers spend 28 hours a week on average caring for someone with dementia Most (51 per cent) are also working; these employed carers spend an average 18 hours a week caring on top of their jobs. Over a quarter (27 per cent) of businesses surveyed have employed someone who needed to make adjustments to their working patterns in order to care for someone living with dementia The hours lost due to carer commitments equates to £1.6bn to English businesses each year.