An important community hub for people of South Londoners of Turkish heritage, the Bexley Turkish Day Centre, has re-opened following its closure during the pandemic period.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Bexley, Cllr Ahmet Dourmoush and his wife Elmaziye Dourmoush, attended the official opening on Thursday, 31 August, where they took time to meet both the staff and guests, many of them elderly British Turks. A buffet lunch was laid on for everyone, which included traditional Turkish sweet and savoury foods.

Such is the popularity of the centre that it not only attracts Turks living in Bexley, but also those from the neighbouring boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich, Bromley and Dartford.

The weekly drop-in centre offers the local Turkish community an opportunity to socialise with their peers over a hot drink and snacks, and a chance to access support for issues such as health or home care needs.

Bexley Turkish Day Centre is open every Thursday from 10am to 2pm, and is based at the Welling Salvation Army, 124 Welling High Street, DA16 1TJ.

Mr İlkay Zihni Çıralı is the co-ordinator for Bexley Turkish Day Centre, which is run by Ms Dervişe Ahmet and Ms İsmet Arnavut together with an army of volunteers. They can be contacted on 07711686176 (İlkay Zihni Çıralı) or 07804 684187 (or İsmet Arnavut).