A RICHMOND day care centre for people with dementia has undergone a ‘lockdown’ upgrade and is set to reopen this summer.

Garget Walker House will reopen in August, having been refurbished thanks to grant aid from Richmondshire District Council.

It received a £974 grant from the authority’s Area Partnership scheme to decorate the building and fit new curtains and blinds.

Richmondshire District Council’s five Area Partnerships- each have £10,000 to award to local projects.

Dementia Forward provides a day care service at Garget Walker House on Olav Road, as well as putting on activities for people of all ages.

It was previously run by the Alzheimer's Society who said it was 'no longer financially viable' when it shut the premises in October 2020 after suspending services during the height of the Covid pandemic in March last year.

The services had been well-used and are well supported by the Friends of Garget House who fundraise year-round to provide equipment and transport for users.