A “one stop shop” to support people with dementia and their carers has opened in a new building.

The dementia "hub”, which was commissioned by Barnet Council and the Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) opened on Thursday with the help of the mayor Cllr David Longstaff at the Salvation Army building in Hendon.

The Alzheimer’s Society officially opened the service just ahead of national campaign Dementia Awareness Week, with the hub offering a range of activities including “Singing for the Brain” and dementia cafes.

Dr Debbie Frost, Chair of Barnet CCG, said: “Our diagnosis rates consistently exceed national targets, but we know that diagnosis is only the first step in helping patients and carers get the help and support they need.

“The launch of the Barnet Dementia Hub will provide accessible and much-needed support in the community for local people living with dementia, providing a central hub to support services across the borough.”

The service is currently used by around 150 people affected by dementia, with day care, peer support and a dementia advisor service key elements now the new hub has launched.

Douglas Russell, Operations Manager for North West London at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback people with dementia and their carers have given us about the new Hub.

“It will open up opportunities for more one-to-one support as well as group activities, which will improve the lives of many people living with dementia in Barnet.”