A ‘Memory Café’ is now regularly meeting at the Ascension Church, joining others around the city. Volunteer leader Katherine Barbour sends this report.

Terry and Diane live in Swaythling and Terry cares for Diane who has been diagnosed with dementia. They came along to the dementia café, enjoyed the crumpets and scones, joined in with the discussions about cruising and ferry life and had a go at the leaf quiz. Terry said, “caring for Diane can be quite challenging at times and so I look around for things we can go out to where we will be accepted”. Diane helped with the washing up at the end of the session and enjoyed chatting to other women around her age.

 

A group of volunteers led by Katherine Barbour, chair of Portswood and area dementia action group, have started up a dementia café in the city. There are already cafes in Highfield, Thornhill and Lordshill but nothing in this part of the city. The Bitterne Park café meets at the Ascension Church, Thorold Road, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, runs from 3pm to 4.30pm and is open to all. The café welcomes people living with dementia or cognitive impairment and their carers. At the café there will be occasional speakers and each time there will be activities and a discussion topic.

This time the topic was plants and leaves and Ros Simpson put together a few sheets of leaves for people to identify and discuss.

If you would like to know more about the café do ring Katherine Barbour on 07763 863360 or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.