A new £100,000 hub providing information, advice and support for the elderly, particularly those in the early stages of dementia, has opened its doors.

The Wellbeing Centre, in the Longmead Centre in Sefton Road, Epsom, will "focus on enhancing well-being and supporting independent living", according to Epsom Council, and will offer services including counselling and activities ranging from arts and crafts, reflexology, music, manicures and Tai Chi for older people.

Speaking at the open day event launching the centre, Dr Aalia Khan, clinical lead for dementia for the Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (SDCCG), said: "Last year the Prime Minister said we needed to focus on increasing diagnosis rates because we know that less than half the people who have dementia are actually diagnosed.

"If they are not diagnosed they are not treated or supported and they can’t go anywhere for information, and their carers are not supported either.

"So this is something we really support."

Linda Scott, Epsom Council’s community services manager, said that in its pre-launch period, the centre received more than 20 calls in a week.

Steve Cosser, Surrey County Council’s cabinet associate for adult social care, added: "As people live longer we can certainly anticipate a significant growth in the number of people in society with dementia. 

"This will without doubt be an issue in Surrey which has the largest and fastest growing population of those aged over 85.

"The Government has made clear that providing effective social care is as central to driving improvements for people with dementia. 

"The county council is determined to meet the challenges it faces in this regard."

The centre is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.  Call 01372 720563 for more information.