A pioneering new service is being introduced to Rhondda Cynon Taf for people living with dementia and the family or friends who care for them.
The specialist Dementia Café has been funded by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and will be hosted by the Alzheimer’s Society.
The purpose of the Dementia Café is to give people who have dementia, their families, friends and other carers, the opportunity to meet one another in a friendly and relaxed environment, where they can share experiences and enjoy spending time together.
Dementia Cafes will be set up across Rhondda Cynon Taf over the coming weeks, the first will be launched at Abercwmboi RFC clubhouse on February 21st from 1pm to 3pm.
A series of guest speakers will attend the launch of the Café in Abercwmboi, including Sue Phelps, the Director of Alzheimer’s Wales, Jan John who will discuss her experience as a carer and Wendy Pearson who is a Community Psychiatric Nurse from the Cynon Valley Older Persons Mental Health Team. In keeping with the social side of the Café, artist Jamie Smith will entertain everyone and a buffet and raffle will take place.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Well-Being, Cllr Mike Forey explained: “The Council is pleased to support such an innovative scheme which will allow people who have dementia and carers the opportunity to come together to share their experiences, thereby helping to overcome many of the problems they face on a day-to-day basis because they can advise one another.
“Such a support mechanism is incredibly important for the many carers in Rhondda Cynon Taf and we look forward to the positive impact the Dementia Cafes will have on the lives of very many residents.”
Alzheimer’s Society is the leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers. There are 750,000 people with dementia in the UK with numbers set to rise to one million by 2025.
Alzheimer’s Society is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many of its 25,000 members have personal experience of dementia, as carers, health professionals or people with dementia themselves.
Through its networks the Society is in contact with 30,000 people every week, providing practical services and support.
Plans are already in place to hold a second Dementia Café at Garth Olwg Lifelong Learning Centre, Church Village on March 3rd.
For further details, please contact Trudy Rowlands or Vicky Lewis at the Alzheimer’s Society on 01685 353919 or via email at [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]
