With
ageing
demographics
in
the
developed
world,
there
is
an
increasing
number
of
people
with
memory
difficulties
and
greater
pressure
on
their
carers.
What
is
needed
is
welcoming
support
and
respite
to
both,
within
our
community,
understanding
of
their difficulties.
The
concept
of
a
Memory
Café
has
been
around
since
the
late
1990’s
and
has
developed
in
Europe,
Australia
and
the
USA.
It
provides
a
place
where
any
member
of
the
public,
who
feel
that
they,
or
a
person
they
know,
and
may
have
a
short-term
memory
problem,
can
drop
in
without
any
appointment
and
talk
to
a
volunteer.
We
aim
to
provide
strong
levels
of
stimulation
for
our
guests
and
an
opportunity
for
carers
to
exchange
experiences
and
information.
We
encourage
peer
interaction
and
social
contact
with
fun,
games,
singing,
current
topics
of
interest
so
that
friendships
can
develop.
This
informal
setting
provides
emotional
support and also reduces the isolation felt by people with dementia, their carers and families.
We
are
committed
to
achieving
the
best
quality
of
life
for
our
guests.
We
want
to
enable
people
with
dementia
to
maintain
the
maximum
possible
level
of
independence
to
remain
in
their
home
environment.
Just
as
importantly
we
try
to
provide
help
and
comfort to their carers.
Typically
we
will
have
tea,
coffee,
biscuits
and
a
chat
followed
by
something
of
interest
such
as
Lotto,
songs
from
the
musicals,
reminiscence
boxes,
poems,
flower
arranging,
arts
and
crafts.
We
have
been
entertained
by
the
Hand
Bell
Ringers,
the
U3A
Ukulele
Band,
Wimpole
Home
Farm.
and
visits
from
Spider
the
Caring
Dog.
We
are
grateful
for
support
from
the
local
community
and Tesco who have provided time, money and resources to the Cafe.