A £50,000 network of dementia cafes has opened in Sandwell to help the thousands of people in the borough affected by the condition.

Sandwell Council has worked with Accord Housing Association and other local organisations to launch cafes in the six towns.

More than 3,200 people in the borough are living with dementia, over one per cent of the population, and this figure is expected to continue to rise.

Dementia is the name for a variety of conditions which can cause a loss or deterioration of mental functions, such as memory, language and judgement.

Two-hour drop-in cafes are hosted monthly at various venues and at different times, including evenings and weekends, attended by a co-ordinator.

The move comes after the council's health and older people scrutiny panel looked at the growing trend to care for older people in local communities or their own homes, rather than hospitals.

They wanted to provide people with dementia and their carers somewhere to go for informal support and advice, and the chance to meet other people.

Their inspiration was the dementia cafes started by a clinical psychologist in Holland in 1997 which have now spread across the UK.

Scrutiny panel chair Councillor Mary Griffin recently visited a dementia cafe at Swallowfields Extra Care Scheme in Tipton, attended by 15 people and a guest speaker talking about pensions and benefits.

She said: "I am tremendously proud of the dementia cafes, a first for Sandwell, and would like to thank Accord and other organisations for helping to get the project off the ground.

"The cafes give people a chance to turn up or go when they want, within the opening hours, and enjoy some company or receive advice or take part in an activity in a relaxed cafe environment.

"It is important we support dementia sufferers in every way we can, particularly as this type of care moves away from hospitals and the risk of isolation and loneliness increases.

"We must also not forget the many unsung heroes who care for people with dementia and who can face some unique challenges such as physical or verbal abuse by a loved one."

Nicole Beeching, health and wellbeing manager at Accord Housing Association, said: "There are so many people who become cut-off and socially isolated as a result of dementia, so it is vital that we create opportunities like these cafes to stop that.

"Every cafe is warm and welcoming and everyone there has an awareness of the condition, so you don't have to feel embarrassed or shy."

Dementia is a national health priority and a national strategy, 'Living Well With Dementia', was produced in 2009 by the Department of Health.

Other organisations involved in the scheme are Sandwell Mind, Options for Life, the West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre and BUDS.

For more information or to register interest in attending, telephone Nicole Beeching on 0300 111 7000 or 07818 840982, or email nicoleb@accordha.org.uk