The Dementia Friends Cafe by Melbourn Hub

Melbourn Hub has been following up on its theme of ‘Mindful March’ from earlier this year when sessions focused on much needed local support were initiated for people living with dementia and those with mental health concerns.


The Hub has now started running a monthly Dementia Friends cafe and the first one on Saturday 21st Sept featured the theme of reminiscence. The monthly Dementia Friends Cafe enables family or friends to accompany their loved one living with dementia, to connect with others over coffee and cake and to enjoy activities led by a professional. It is held within the Hub’s bright and airy Bookmark Cafe which is open six days a week and as well as being a popular family friendly cafe, offers a host of other activities and events throughout the year for all. Hub events director Jeannie Seers said “dementia touches so many people and it is important that as a community we become more dementia friendly and feel able to connect and communicate with family, friends and neighbours who may be affected”. The next Dementia Friends Café dates are October 12th, November 16th and December 14th, 2.30-4pm. Attendance is free.

The Dementia Friends Cafe follows on from the success of the Virtual Dementia Tour Bus experience at the Hub in June and September, giving both professional and family carers the opportunity to experience the sensory changes that dementia can cause, to help their understanding of the condition and how to support those with dementia in practical ways.

Melbourn Hub is also supporting mental health initiatives and from 27th September it will be a host venue to weekly Mind CPSL ‘good mood cafes’ to offer wellbeing support from Mind CPSL professionals. The session will be held on Friday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm, is open to anyone and free to attend.

Jeannie says “The community made it clear back in January when we held our well attended Breast health awareness session delivered by Addenbrookes’ Dr Elizabeth Cox, that community support for a number of health related matters was badly needed. We continue to work with professionals to add to the growing number of services already available at Melbourn Hub”.
For information on Hub services and activities, dates and times see www.melbournhub.co.uk or contact the centre manager on 01763 263303.