A dementia support group has opened Kent’s first memory cafe inside a place of worship.

Alzheimer's and Dementia Support Services (ADSS) unveiled its landmark initiative at the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend last Thursday (June 20).

The idea of the cafe is to bridge the gap in dementia care for the South Asian community, which is seen as an often-overlooked demographic in terms of accessing support.

A spokesman for the ADSS said: “It provides a vital, culturally sensitive haven where individuals living with dementia and their carers can find solace, share experiences, and access indispensable support. “

One visitor to the cafe said: "We are glad that this group exists, as dementia is not often discussed within the Sikh community due to stigma.

“This group serves to raise awareness and promote understanding.”

Jagdev Singh Virdee, general secretary for the gurdwara, added: "We are grateful to ADSS for running this group along with all the volunteers from the wellbeing centre.

“It is going to be a huge help for the community. We have been in contact for many years, and ADSS has been coming to the gurdwara to raise awareness, and now we are going to be working closely regularly”.

The Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend is among the largest in Europe, and is also one of the largest outside of India.

Opened on November 19, 2010 at a cost of £18 million – and funded entirely by the local community – the gurdwara boasts three meditation halls, two langar halls, a lecture theatre, ICT suite, library, and various sporting facilities.