Bosses at one of the county’s biggest dementia charities have said its future is secured after being donated its building.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services (ADSS) now owns its day centre and base in Coldharbour Road, Northfleet.

The Safeharbour Memory Wellbeing Centre was previously owned by Kent County Council (KCC) which rented it to various charities before ADSS’ tenancy in 2017.

The following year, the council approached the independent charity regarding the ownership and it secured a loan from the Albert Hunt Trust, a grant-giving organisation, to buy the building.

The debt has since been written off as the trust made a commitment to spend its resources in the next six years meaning the building is now owned by ADSS.

Chief executive of ADSS Katie Antill said this has secured the future of the charity as it means it will always have a base for people to come to.

She added: “We always have it now. The needs of people who are living with dementia are increasing so knowing we are here to stay is reassuring.

“As a charity, we have been reliant on KCC funding and we know there is not a limitless pot but for us, it means we do not have to solely rely on it.

“It is so important that people have a building like this. They feel comfortable to come here.

“People are more receptive if they have a connection with the building and the people here.

“It really helps that people trust us and it means we have to live up to that and people do really believe in us.”

ADSS is now looking to replace the leaking roof and renovate the garden to create a dementia-friendly space to allow the people it supports to spend more time outside.

It is expecting to pay more than £150,000 this year on the improvements and is looking for donations to be able to do so.

ADSS is well known for supporting people with dementia across north-west Kent, including Gravesham, Dartford, Swale, Maidstone and Tonbridge, and runs a day care centre, activity groups and outings and home support services.

It works with people from the moment they are diagnosed and supports and gives advice to caregivers.

Katie added: “We see so many friendships form.

“Quite often these people who have been diagnosed feel written off by the rest of the world and suddenly there are people who are like them.

“It is a horrible disease but there is no reason why, with the right support, they cannot live a really good life.”