Memory Cafe

Venue: -  Cotgrave Church, Church Lane, Cotgrave, Notts.

When: - Last Thursday of every month

Time:- 14.00 – 16.00

The Vale of Belvoir Rotary Memory Cafe is aimed at people suffering memory loss and primarily aimed at people diagnosed with dementia and their helpers.

We want people to attend who would benefit from a bit of fun and light relief for two hours once a month on the last Thursday of every month, from the Bingham, Radcliffe, Cotgrave, Cropwell's and surrounding villages.

The general age of the people attending such Cafe’s set up by Rotary Clubs, is around the 60 / 60+ mark, which is the time in life when dementia appears to raise its head in the population, right up to the 80+ mark. It is appreciated that for some very unfortunate people dementia can affect them from a much earlier age, therefore all age groups are welcome.

The Cafe is a structured two hours for people suffering memory problems and their helpers to enjoy some nostalgic activities to stimulate conversation and participation. For the Cafe to be affective it is aimed at those who are still capable of an understanding of what is going on so they can engage and participate (helped by their support) with the activities taking place.

Each monthly meeting will be themed for the time of year e.g. bonfire night may be used to stimulate an interactive discussion about gathering and making bonfires, fireworks they bought, penny for the guy etc. We also intend to have some music and in time some nostalgia boxes as well as many more activities themed for each particular meeting.

We are not there to help with any diagnosis of memory problems that is for the medical profession; we can only provide some light relief and fun for people diagnosed with dementia and their helpers, whether that support is offered by a family member or other support who bring them along to the Cafe. Also we do not have the skills or ability to look after dementia suffers ourselves, we are not a drop off centre, the support person for people attending the Cafe will remain with them for the full two hours, but will have the opportunity to converse and gain knowledge and expertise from other support member’s experiences.

The Cafe is totally free for people with memory problems and their helpers attending, no donations are required and refreshments will be provided for all; we just ask you to book in with Gerry Thompson, so that we know how many people we are catering for on the day.

I hope this information gives you encouragement to come along to the Cafe, if so please book in with me for the LAST Thursday of the month.

Contact Gerry Thompson     thompson54@virginmedia.com      

Mobile 07979392652