Hiya all, its with such relief we are opening our memory café up again after a very long 18 months of closure due to Covid, but the time closed has made me think. It’s a well-known fact that we opened ours all those years ago because we were disillusioned how another dementia charity was operating theirs by only allowing those with a diagnosis to attend. We thought this intolerable as it didn’t include those who just had cognitive problems or who were simply worried about getting the disease. I like to think over the years we have been proved right as we do “Allegedly “ run one of the most successful memory cafes in South Devon because of our approach of “ ALL ARE WELCOMED”
The reason we do this are many, but the main one is that our Motto is..
“Inclusion and Engagement for All “
And by this, we mean not only those who have dementia, but also those who have a loved one with it/ family member/ friend or even those who are worried about it which I know includes many people, but my point is if we dont open our doors to all, share our literature, give advice and help those who are worried about it, and let’s be honest who isn’t, then who does? As a predominantly dementia charity is it not our duty?, to help all with whatever connection to it, even if it's only inquiries? Of course, it is! It is also our duty to help all those who are lonely and feel isolated as well ?> as even though I know of no scientific research that says so for definite, it is highly regarded that loneliness can bring on dementia.
So I believe we are ALL responsible for looking after all those who have spent many years looking after us in their time of need, even if it means them having a good old knees-up every Saturday afternoon at our memory café, dementia or not. Covid has shown us how many vulnerable people are out there and its now out time to act.
so my message to all memory cafes out there are YRES please keep the name memory café but please make sure they are open and welcome to all who need whatever help at whatever time, after all
"A MEMORY CAFE IS NOT THERE BECAUSE YOU'RE LOSING YOUR MEMORY
IT`S THERE TO HELP YOU REMEMBER THOSE MEMORIES YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN "
The reason we do this are many, but the main one is that our Motto is..
“Inclusion and Engagement for All “
And by this, we mean not only those who have dementia, but also those who have a loved one with it/ family member/ friend or even those who are worried about it which I know includes many people, but my point is if we dont open our doors to all, share our literature, give advice and help those who are worried about it, and let’s be honest who isn’t, then who does? As a predominantly dementia charity is it not our duty?, to help all with whatever connection to it, even if it's only inquiries? Of course, it is! It is also our duty to help all those who are lonely and feel isolated as well ?> as even though I know of no scientific research that says so for definite, it is highly regarded that loneliness can bring on dementia.
So I believe we are ALL responsible for looking after all those who have spent many years looking after us in their time of need, even if it means them having a good old knees-up every Saturday afternoon at our memory café, dementia or not. Covid has shown us how many vulnerable people are out there and its now out time to act.
so my message to all memory cafes out there are YRES please keep the name memory café but please make sure they are open and welcome to all who need whatever help at whatever time, after all
"A MEMORY CAFE IS NOT THERE BECAUSE YOU'RE LOSING YOUR MEMORY
IT`S THERE TO HELP YOU REMEMBER THOSE MEMORIES YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN "
??
