Haydon Wick Parish Council opened the doors to it’s Community Memory Café for the first time on Wednesday 13^th October. The café is designed to offer a safe place to socialise, learn more about living with dementia and memory loss, signpost attendees to local services, and enjoy something new each session.

The morning of Wednesday 13^th October welcomed the official launch date for the eagerly anticipated opening of the community café. The project started in September 2020 with a public consultation process, has achieved a number of external funding grants to enhance planned services, and will be taking place every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm at the Haydon Wick Parish Council Offices. With an army of willing and very able volunteers, the open morning welcomed local residents, who enjoyed baked treats, live music, a seated exercise class and more. The open morning was designed by Memory Café Co-ordinator Joanne Newman to be a ‘taster session’ of the varied and engaging activities to come.

Ellen Baker Lee, Chair of the Community Development Committee had this to say about the project:

“This has been a project very close to my heart and the team here have worked so hard to bring the Memory Cafe dream to a reality.  We are aware that people living with dementia benefit enormously from external stimulation and being in a position to offer the Mobii Table as well as music, movement and company is a real privilege. Families and carers often feel isolated, and this has been exacerbated by the pandemic.  We can now offer a safe space for people to enjoy the company of others, and of course, a slice of cake! We are also very thankful to our wonder Community Bus drivers who have helped enormously by ensuring safe transport is available to those within our community who need it and are able to benefit from this wonderful community service”.

The Council was delighted to receive grant funding from The Community Outbreak Management Fund (Voluntary Action Swindon) to assist with COVID safety actions and messaging of reassurance for attendees; and funding towards a sensory state-of-the-art omiVista Mobbi table. The sensory table will form part of the larger community project, and be shared within the community through a number of local groups and organisations.

Vinay Manro, Chairman of the Council had this to say: “the inaugural Memory Café was a signification moment for Haydon Wick. The café’s development is yet another service we have committed to delivering for the community of Haydon Wick. We are incredibly proud of the café which was initially made possible through several external grant funds.  Our café will run twice monthly and eventually travel across the parish, making good use of our community bus service, so contact us if you or someone you know may benefit from attending.

If you or someone you know is living with memory loss and would like to attend the Haydon Wick Memory Café, please call 01793 722446 or email youthandcommunity@haydonwick.gov.uk

The Parish Council will be opening it’s doors to host the first of it’s Memory Café sessions on Wednesday 13th October, 2021. The Memory Café will provide residents living with dementia and their carers a safe place for a cup of tea and chat, and much more.

The first session promises to deliver entertainment in the shape of a 60’s sing-along, health benefits with chair based exercises and of course, cake.

If you have any questions, would like to register your interest or book a free space, please email youthandcommunity@haydonwick.gov.uk or call 01793 722446.