HOW PURPLE ANGEL MEMORY CAFE IS RUN (for reference, please feel free to copy but most of all HAVE FUN !!)
Volunteers for the cafe? , no need for professionals but always helpful if you have one or two, otherwise better to have those who have worked as carers, are carers or have some connection with dementia
The two words we cherish most is INCLUSION and ENGAGEMENT so with that said a MUST is to have a volunteer on EACH TABLE at all times (Apart from when serving tea and coffee) This inclusion with them, chatting to them, reassuring them and answering their questions is so very important to make them feel comfortable
ALWAYS REMEMBER ITS THEIR CAFE !! NOT YOURS, you are just the facilitators (ask all every four weeks what THEY would like to do at cafe)
TIMES of cafe "EVERY WEEK"
,( once a month for people with dementia to remember is far too long, )
On Entrance meet, greet, take names of both PWD and carers (Health and safety must be a priority)
1.30pm till 3.30pm (Music must be playing in background all the time, 50s and 60s please and keep the war songs for remembrance day
1. Tables are set out like a cafe and NEVER like a care home all in a circle.
2. Tables are dressed with cloths, dried flowers, Biscuits, books from yesteryear, magazines etc, gives them something to do whilst waiting to start
3. A 20 Question single answer quiz is placed on each table (1 between two people) so they can do this as well and answers are given out at near end of cafe
(We once forgot to do this and we were nearly lynched lol )
4. On arrival tea and coffee is given out (free)
Cafe opens at 1.30pm then this is our agenda which is written on a whiteboard for all to see so they know whats happening that day (Always day and date the whiteboard each week as well so all can see)
1.50pm Welcome all and any updates
2pm NINE LETTER WORD please see link
http://nineletterword.tompaton.com/amscagnip/
This is where you ask all those with dementia to shout out words of three letters or more made up from nine letters but they HAVE To have designated letter IE A in each word (Please see link)
Please be aware of carers, loved ones shouting for them, it happens more than you may think, we allow some to keep it flowing, but not all
2.15 Either, (just a few suggestions)
CRAFTS or
CAKE DECORATING or
GAMES DAY
IE Dominoes, Connect Four (Always popular we have five sets lol) old-fashioned wooden bagatelles, snakes and ladders puzzles to put together (but not jigsaws, take too long) ect
or
Team games of
Play your cards right, or
Balloon Tennis or
Ten items on a board,m try to remember as many as possible
or
Famous faces, picture quiz where they have to figure out who they are, TOP TIP< always good to throw an old photo in there of two members / Volunteers gets em every time lol
or
Aroma pots where they have to guess the different Aromas
Flower arranging (Contact local florists, usually accommodating)
2.45pm TEA COFFEE AND HOME MADE CAKES
3pm Answer to a table quiz
3.05 till 3.30om
A good old sing song with song sheets is a must, or you can ask local singers to come and do a TURN LOL
we always finish off with a sing-song as its proved to light up all the electrolights in the brain and sends them home happy.
3.30pm Always have someone stood at the door to say goodbye, wish them well and to say see you next week, so important.
My dear friends, i hope this helps and if anybody wants to know any more, please just ask and let's fill the world with PURPLE ANGEL MEMORY CAFES xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
FOOTNOTE
You do not have to have a diagnosis of dementia to come, dont want to leave anybody out, especially those who are so worried about thier memory
We are totally self-funded, and raise our own funds via tea dances, sponsored walks and donations on the door, we never ever charge for tea/coffee entertainment or Entrance
Volunteers for the cafe? , no need for professionals but always helpful if you have one or two, otherwise better to have those who have worked as carers, are carers or have some connection with dementia
The two words we cherish most is INCLUSION and ENGAGEMENT so with that said a MUST is to have a volunteer on EACH TABLE at all times (Apart from when serving tea and coffee) This inclusion with them, chatting to them, reassuring them and answering their questions is so very important to make them feel comfortable
ALWAYS REMEMBER ITS THEIR CAFE !! NOT YOURS, you are just the facilitators (ask all every four weeks what THEY would like to do at cafe)
TIMES of cafe "EVERY WEEK"
,( once a month for people with dementia to remember is far too long, )
On Entrance meet, greet, take names of both PWD and carers (Health and safety must be a priority)
1.30pm till 3.30pm (Music must be playing in background all the time, 50s and 60s please and keep the war songs for remembrance day
1. Tables are set out like a cafe and NEVER like a care home all in a circle.
2. Tables are dressed with cloths, dried flowers, Biscuits, books from yesteryear, magazines etc, gives them something to do whilst waiting to start
3. A 20 Question single answer quiz is placed on each table (1 between two people) so they can do this as well and answers are given out at near end of cafe
(We once forgot to do this and we were nearly lynched lol )
4. On arrival tea and coffee is given out (free)
Cafe opens at 1.30pm then this is our agenda which is written on a whiteboard for all to see so they know whats happening that day (Always day and date the whiteboard each week as well so all can see)
1.50pm Welcome all and any updates
2pm NINE LETTER WORD please see link
http://nineletterword.tompaton.com/amscagnip/
This is where you ask all those with dementia to shout out words of three letters or more made up from nine letters but they HAVE To have designated letter IE A in each word (Please see link)
Please be aware of carers, loved ones shouting for them, it happens more than you may think, we allow some to keep it flowing, but not all
2.15 Either, (just a few suggestions)
CRAFTS or
CAKE DECORATING or
GAMES DAY
IE Dominoes, Connect Four (Always popular we have five sets lol) old-fashioned wooden bagatelles, snakes and ladders puzzles to put together (but not jigsaws, take too long) ect
or
Team games of
Play your cards right, or
Balloon Tennis or
Ten items on a board,m try to remember as many as possible
or
Famous faces, picture quiz where they have to figure out who they are, TOP TIP< always good to throw an old photo in there of two members / Volunteers gets em every time lol
or
Aroma pots where they have to guess the different Aromas
Flower arranging (Contact local florists, usually accommodating)
2.45pm TEA COFFEE AND HOME MADE CAKES
3pm Answer to a table quiz
3.05 till 3.30om
A good old sing song with song sheets is a must, or you can ask local singers to come and do a TURN LOL
we always finish off with a sing-song as its proved to light up all the electrolights in the brain and sends them home happy.
3.30pm Always have someone stood at the door to say goodbye, wish them well and to say see you next week, so important.
My dear friends, i hope this helps and if anybody wants to know any more, please just ask and let's fill the world with PURPLE ANGEL MEMORY CAFES xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
FOOTNOTE
You do not have to have a diagnosis of dementia to come, dont want to leave anybody out, especially those who are so worried about thier memory
We are totally self-funded, and raise our own funds via tea dances, sponsored walks and donations on the door, we never ever charge for tea/coffee entertainment or Entrance
