Kiveton and South Rotherham Memory Café

CAFES ARE ON THE SECOND MONDAY EACH MONTH AT 1.30 PM

Café 10th July 2017

Attendance was not as good as usual this time. Was it because it was Manic Monday at Wimbledon? But we did welcome one or two new clients including Lana and Peter who enjoyed meeting other clients and carers.

John showed another video from the 1950s which his father had taken on a family holiday to Brittany in France. While we had the projector set up, we also tried some Karaoke songs from the 1960s, Sadly we didn't have Roger to lead us, but the audience seemed to get the idea eventually. For the August café we have a folk guitarist coming to entertain us, as well as the usual activities and refreshments.

Café 13th February 2017

The café was well attended with 33 clients and carers who were able to have a good chat over a cuppa as there was no outside entertainer.
The afternoon started with the draw for the Valentine's Day raffle prize which had been organised by the Village Hall. This had raised the handsome sum of £155 for the Café, and John thanked Jean, chair of the Hall Trustees, for their generosity.
The session featured sing-along music mainly from the 1950s led by Rotherham Rotary volunteer Roger. Also games and other activities. There were several good prizes for the raffle which raised over £30.

We look forward to seeing everyone again on 13th March.

Press Release - October 2016

Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Rotherham have initiated a new monthly Memory Café in the south of the borough, based at Kiveton Park and Wales Village Hall. The Launch event was on Monday, 3^rd October and the Mayor, Cllr. Lindsay Pitchley, was invited to perform the opening in front of 31 carers and cared for people who had arrived for the café as well as volunteers and representatives from the Alzheimer’s Society and Home Instead.

John Wadsworth, chairman of the steering group, welcomed the guests, explained a little about Rotary and the café. He announced that they had just been successful in securing a grant from the South Yorkshire Community Foundation to cover its first year running costs. The award was from the AESEAL Charitable Trust Community First Endowment Fund for South Yorkshire.

The Mayor in a short address said that from personal experience she was very much aware of the benefits of the memory café, and hoped for its success into the future. She was thanked by Rotary President John Box.

The café continued with musical entertainment by Alan Turner.

John Wadsworth said he was very pleased with the turnout and the way the first café had gone, everyone saying that they had enjoyed themselves. The café will provide a free drop in service for anyone who has concerns about their memory or that of a loved one or friend. It will provide an opportunity for participants to meet regularly with other people with memory problems and present a chance to exchange experiences and to give and receive emotional support.

The Memory Café is being run by trained volunteers, initially Rotary members, with the support of health professionals. You can come along and discuss your concerns in confidence. Our aim is to provide support and information within a relaxed, friendly and stigma free environment.

We are developing a programme of events for both carers and the cared for. The café is an opportunity to take a break from the caring role. However, attendees must be independent or supported by a family member or other carer throughout the sessions. Volunteers from the local community are encouraged to join us and suitable training will be given.

Everyone is welcome and the next café will be on Monday, 14^th November and on the second Monday each month from 1.30 to 3.30 pm.

John Wadsworth, Steering Group Chairman.