A DEMENTIA charity has come up with innovative ways to support people during the coronavirus pandemic, including robotic cats.

Dementia Forward says the cancellation of regular meet-ups has caused increased disengagement for people suffering with dementia.

The charity has launched several schemes to tackle the issue, including Café in a Box and robotic cats, which interact in a lifelike way, creating a calming effect.

Jill Quinn, CEO of Dementia Forward, said: “We are getting a lot of emotional calls to our helpline from people who are saying their relatives with dementia are deteriorating during lockdown.

“The box will be delivered by volunteers who are also missing the interaction that the cafes provided.”