Memory Café News
The Memory Café Start-up Guide
Download a copy of our guide to Setting up a Memory Café
Opening of the Chigwell Memory Café (Dec 2012)
The Rotary Club of Leytonstone and Woodford held a special session at the Memory Café, Chigwell Convent, Chigwell Road, on Friday to welcome new customers to the scheme.
The free sessions aim to stimulate memories in those that suffer with memory problems and for their carers to come and have a chat and cup of tea.
Queen Elizabeth's coronation was broadcast for visitors and there was also a variety of 1960s newspapers available to read.
Member of the club, Barry Plowman, said: "The feedback from carers has been great. We try and help those with memory problems by watching old films, having a singalong and just generally giving them a break from being at home."
"If the scheme is successful we hope to encourage other rotary clubs in the area to do the same."
Hands across the water
Below is an email received from a couple in Washinton DC.
Sent: 30 Apr 2012 15:15
Subject: REPoD
Dear Geri,
Please excuse the delay in responding to your email. We are delighted to hear from you and interested in finding a way to work with Rotary Clubs in our area. We have the cafe that we began here at a local hospital and another woman has started one at her church 20 miles away. Both are thriving and people have approached us about starting more of them. My friend, Carol, and I cannot handle more and in fact could use volunteers at our own cafes so that they would be better and offer more activities and hold meetings more than twice a month. We are limited by our own capacity. So far, we are also the only fenders of the activities. We purchase refreshments and games etc. As you know, this is not an expensive activity and we aren't seeking funding, just more people to assist in making them go. Any collaboration with the local Rotary Clubs in our area would be very helpful.
Last week at the Sibley Hospital cafe, we had 16 participants and have registered 26 total. Some find it is not for them, but many are regular attendees and enjoy the experience very much. Some of the games are run by people in the early stages of Alzheimer's/dementia. Bill had taken ownership of this activity and likes to welcome/counsel people. It is empowering for them to do so. Some caregivers are free to put together jigsaw puzzles and be across the room from their loved one but also know that loved one is safe. It is such a good model. Thank you for inspiring us. If you are ever in DC and wish to visit our activities, we would welcome you!
Best regards, Elise and Bill
Opening of the Derwentside Memory Café (Jan 2012)
The Memory Café was officially opened by Councillor Linda Marshall, Deputy Chairman of Durham County Council. The Rotary Club of Derwentside, in District 1030, has opened the café in Consett County Durham in partnership with Derwentside Carers Centre. It also has support from the Derwent Clinic at Shotley Bridge Hospital who will provide a quailfied CPN at each opening of the Cafe.
At the opening, the Govenor of Rotary District 1030, Tony Wartman, presented the Derwentside Rotary Club with a Service Recognition Award.
Funding for the project was secured after an event where all local organisations who were asking for funding had a stand and the public of the local area had 4 votes each to cast. We were delighted as the café received the most votes and so got the funding needed for the first year with a contribution from the Rotary Club of Derwentside.
The café will be held on the 3rd Friday of each month at Glenroyd House, Medomsley Road, Consett, DH8 5HL, from 2pm to 4pm.
Totnes Memory Café celebrates its 1st successful year
Totnes Memory Café set up by Totnes Rotary Club celebrated its first successful year with a special birthday cake last Friday. The Café is run by trained volunteers with the support of health professionals and provides practical information and advice together with games and discussions to stimulate the memory.
One carer who attends on a regular basis says that she finds the Memory Café a real lifeline; 'It is good to share experiences with other people in a similar situation and my husband really enjoys the memory games - they seem to jog other parts of his brain and for a short while we are able to enjoy a little of his old self! I have made friends and my husband can relax and not worry about what he says'.
RIBI Magic of Rotary Award
Congratulations to Wadebridge Rotary Club for winning this award for their work with setting up and running the Wadebridge Memory Café
Ashburton Memory Café celebrates its 1st birthday - May 2010
The Ashburton Memory Café celebrated its first birthday on Tuesday morning with a cake and cups of coffee. This increasingly popular 'drop in' centre for those with memory problems and their carers is held in the St John Ambulance Hall in Ashburton on the first Tuesday of each month between 10 am and 12 noon. Visitors are encouraged to join in with games and a friendly chat over a cup of tea or coffee and the chance to recall familiar events from their childhood or earlier times. On Tuesday the regular visitors enjoyed a slice of cake while looking at books, games and household items which brought back memories of how we used to live.
The Memory Café in Ashburton was started by Rotarian Geoff Oakshott of the Rotary Club of Ashburton/Buckfastleigh, and he and his wife Bea have co-ordinated the Café during the last year, supported by members of the Rotary Club. Rotarian Geoff said; 'We are delighted with the success of the Memory Café in Ashburton, and feel that it contributes to the local community by providing a place where anyone worried about losing their memory, and their carers, can call in for a chat and the chance to discuss their concerns with the specialist nurse.'
Stop Press:
Dementia Friendly Communities
Various bodies, both government and others are promoting the setting up of dementia friendly communities. To see what's involved and how you can be part of it, go to our dementia friendly communities page. You can also read this PDF document (1.5MB)
Service Above Self
It is with much pleasure that we announce that the Chair of REPoD, Dr. Geri Parlby, has been awarded the 'Rotary International Service above Self Award' for her outstanding contributions to the REPoD effort over the 6 years since its inception. We feel that all who know her will feel that this award was well deserved.
Hands across the water
The REPoD message is spreading and not just within the UK. Read this email extract from a couple in Washington DC.
Funding dementia research
The government has announced an increase into funding dementia research. Dementia research funding set to rise to £66m by 2015. - BBC News web site
Dementia Adventure
Looking for a break / holiday for someone you care for or yourself - then take a look at this web site.
RIBI Conference 2011 - Speech
This is a PDF transcript of the speech given by Geri Parlby about dementia and REPoD's activities at the RIBI Conference in Dublin.
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