Staff, patients and fundraisers have celebrated the re-opening of two facilities for people with dementia following a major £135,000 refurbishment.

Sidmouth Herald: Members of the League of Friends are pictured at Ottery St Mary hospital on the occasion of the opening of the Rowan Assessment Centre and Linden Day Centre this week. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref sho 6750-12-14SH To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on Photo OrdersMembers of the League of Friends are pictured at Ottery St Mary hospital on the occasion of the opening of the Rowan Assessment Centre and Linden Day Centre this week. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref sho 6750-12-14SH To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on Photo Orders (Image: Archant)

The 17-week revamp of Ottery St Mary hospital’s Rowan and Linden centres included a new kitchen and arts and craft area, as well as changes to the layout and lighting with the aim of making the facility more ‘dementia friendly’.

The work was entirely funded by the hospital’s League of Friends, and chairman Adrian Rutter said the group was ‘delighted’ to have helped with the project.

He added: “We have every confidence that staff and patients will find their new Rowan and Linden centre facilities just what they need to develop an even better service than the one that is already doing so much good for so many people.

“The League of Friends has always been able to rely on local people who give so generously of their time and money in support of our hospital and its people.”

The centres offer support for people with dementia, anxiety or depression or who are socially isolated.

An open day will be held next month, when the public will have the opportunity to see the new facilities for themselves.