A charity has been handed the keys to its new specialist dementia facilities.

Worthing-based Guild Care plans to officially open Haviland House and the Bradbury wellbeing centre to residents in the new year.

The purpose-built centre will be a place of comfort for people with dementia, including their carers and loved ones.

It will be a ‘home from home’ for 60 residents, with support for local people, including respite care, activities and outings.

The charity, which supports elderly people across the town, decided to build Haviland House in response to growing need in Worthing, with 3,000 people living with dementia in the local area alone. A celebration was held to recognise the occasion, which was attended by the Worthing mayor Vic Walker, town crier Bob Smytherman, and Lauren Haviland – the great-granddaughter of Reverend Haviland – who the building is named after.

Specialist healthcare building contractor, Building Construction Partnership (BCP) Ltd was responsible for the development, and managing director Brian Bullock was also at the event.

Guild Care chairman Roger Smith said: “Receiving the keys to this iconic building is a historic moment for Guild Care. It has taken time and considerable fundraising efforts to achieve.

“We’d like to thank BCP Ltd, our staff, particularly Gary Pate, who has managed the project, and the general public for making our dreams to build a new dementia care home and wellbeing centre a reality.”