Memory Café launches to provide dementia support in community

Adult social care provider Optalis will be re launching its memory café next week in Woodley near Wokingham for adults with dementia and memory difficulties to socialise together.

The free memory café will take place every third Monday afternoon of the month, with people encouraged to visit to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a chat with others who might share their perspective and experiences of memory loss.

Memory training activities will also be running during the session named ‘Neighbourhood Memory Café’ in preparation for the re launch on Monday 18 August.

Activities coordinator, Rebecca Craker, said: “We want to provide a safe, comfortable, engaging environment where people with memory difficulties/loss and their partners/friends can meet, enjoy a coffee, speak to professionals/volunteers, share stories and any worries, mix socially, and get support from others who are on a similar journey.”

Optalis hope to increase dementia awareness through the regular meetings and provide a time for people to receive support while living with dementia.

The home care agency provide home care services for older people and adults with learning disabilities, helping service users maintain an active lifestyle and remain as independent as possible living in their own home.

There are currently over 260 memory cafés registered on an independent UK directory of memory cafes throughout the UK.

Many memory cafés provide reminiscence based activities and health care professionals visit regularly to provide advice and information in an informal setting for people living with dementia and memory loss.