THE newly renovated Riverside Community Centre in Malmesbury has vowed to be ‘dementia friendly’.

The team in charge of the building, the Friends of Riverside, have joined the Dementia Friends imitative and organised a programme of events for senior citizens in the hopes of boosting their social engagement.

The topic of dementia is very personal to chairman of the Friends of Riverside, Kim Power, whose mother suffered from the disease.

She said: “At Riverside, we want to ensure there are activities and social events for all ages to take part in and enjoy.

“So we are really keen that older members of our community have a programme of social events, where they can meet up, enjoy refreshments and a light lunch and if they so wish, take part in some activities free of charge.

“Unfortunately many older people with dementia give up on social events and even just going out and about because it is so difficult for them to do so.

“This may be because some people don't really know how to respond to people with dementia and sometimes places and buildings can be difficult to negotiate mentally and physically.”

For more information on the Riverside Centre, which recently underwent £250,000-worth of refurbishment as part of Wiltshire Council’s community campus project, visit riversidecommunitycentre.org.uk