A new day care centre which will provide specialist care for elderly people has been opened in Chelmsford.

The 20-place centre, Charles Dickens Court in Nickleby Road, is part of a partnership between Essex social services, Chelmsford Borough Council and the Springboard Housing Association.

For the past seven years day care services have been provided at St John Payne School in Patching Hall Lane, Chelmsford. Many of the school's students worked with the people attending the day centre as part of their curriculum studies.

The new centre has been purpose built so that it can offer a wide range of facilities tailored to the needs of older people. It will be open five days a week, from Monday to Friday and for two days a week will offer special care for older people with problems such as dementia.

Essex County Council chairman Joan Beard is pictured talking to Jean Edwards at the newly opened Charles Dickens Court day centre.

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