New evening cafe for people living with dementia

The Alzheimer's society is running a new monthly café in Brighton that offers support for people with dementia and their carers. This is a new service offered by the local office of the Alzheimer's Society (based in Woodingdean) and provides refreshment, entertainment and a place to socialise with other people in a similar position. There will be information and professional support available in this informal social setting.

Janis Simmonds, the project co-ordinator said We provide information, advice and guidance and a signpost to other services available that can give practical help and support. People who are in a similar position can feel free of some of the barriers often experienced in other more formal settings and have access to less time-limited communication. However, we emphasize fun in this café - we always have live entertainment so music, song and dance feature largely during the evening.

The launch cafe was held on the 19 September and welcomed over 15 people, a number of volunteers and a great entertainer. Janis Simmonds, Dementia Cafe Co-ordinator, was delighted with how the evening went and is looking forward to welcoming more newcomers at the next cafe on 17 October.

This is the first dementia café in Brighton and Hove, a second one is planned to open in the west of the city. They offer opportunities for professionals to get involved as they are available to anyone who is affected by dementia, either personally, as a carer or a relative.

The monthly cafe will take place the 3rd Wednesday of every month between 6 and 8pm.

17 October
14 November (2nd Wednesday)
12 December (2nd Wednesday)
16 January 2013
20 February
20 March

at CAFÉ IN THE CRYPT, St George Road, Kemp Town, Brighton

  • Talks to the group by professional organisations can be arranged on request.
  • Anyone wishing to get involved and help out on the night, please get in touch
  • If you feel you would like to provide entertainment , we are always looking for performers
  • For more information please contact Janis Simmonds at the Alzheimer's Society office in Woodingdean, tel no. 01273 726266, email,janis.simmonds@alzheimers.org.uk

For further information about the Alzheimer's society visit http://alzheimers.org.uk/

6 September 2012