Story
Wythall Memory Cafe was set up nearly three years the aim was to provide support for those experiencing memory loss and their carers. It needs to be replicated in other areas to help even more people.
I am running in a number of events culminating in the London Marathon in October 2022 to help raise funds for Dementia care. Please check out some of the things that the Cafe does to help residents affected.
We have a number of elderly residents who are experiencing loneliness. We are looking to raise funds for the Cafe and towards helping others form similar operations in Worcestershire and wider. The Wythall cafe has like many volunteer groups been hard hit by Covid and now more than ever we need the funds to help those in need.
Regular meetings offer tea, coffee and cakes and some form of entertainment ranging from Bingo to a ukulele band. We do not charge for the refreshments. We are very reliant on the generosity of people and business to cover the cost of hall hire and special events such as a fish and chip lunch, Easter extravaganza and our Christmas lunch. The Memory cafe has proved very popular so much so we will soon be looking for a larger venue as our numbers continue to grow. This will inevitably incur larger costs.
The last 18 months with the pandemic has proved a challenge as we could no longer meet. However our volunteers would not let a pandemic ruin the continuation of the Cafe each month in all weathers our volunteers have delivered a cream tea in a bag with extra goodies to lift the spirits of those struggling with the isolation. Flowers and pot plants have been delivered with the bags and all the recipients have been so pleased and grateful for the continued contact.
Now we look to what we hope is a brighter future at present we are planning to open the cafe in July with alterations which will make it covid safe and secure our guests can't wait to meet again as the cafe is the opportunity to socialise and it is date in their diaries they do not want to miss. We have different events planned for the future such as trips out and various entertainers. We also would like to support our members by hiring out aids which would make their lives easier such as portable ramps, specialist clocks which tell not only the time but the day and the month there are many aids available but all cost money. The cafe is not just a social event we are there to support and offer help when required for those who need a friend in their time of need.
Adam Kent said
Like many families we have experienced the deep pain of memory loss, the work that community groups like Wythall Memory Cafe do is invaluable to assisting those affected and their families. We want to expand the concept further, in particular helping those experiencing loneliness and also help other community groups with funding to start additional groups.
