Dementia cafe launched in Greenmount

D-CaFF was officially opened at Greenmount Cricket Club on Friday.

It was the brainchild of Laura Roberts, vice chairman of Bury Dementia Action Alliance, and Greenmount resident Joani Beale.

Mrs Beale explained: "I cared for my dad who had Alzheimer’s and I volunteered for a charity who ran dementia cafes but I finished there about a year ago. Then recently I was approached by Laura who suggested we set up our own café locally as there was nothing like this here."

The pair, alongside volunteer Diane Fox, have had a huge response from the local community who had been fundraising for them to be able to start the café.

Mrs Beale said: "It's extremely important to have events like this because people can become isolated and stay in their own homes. There's a fear of the condition and we want to show people that you can continue to live your life with dementia."

The cafe, which is billed as a lovely place to meet for people living with dementia, their carers and family and friends, will open on the second Friday of every month.

Mrs Roberts said: "We will be having guest speakers with advice but mainly it's about people coming down here and having fun."

Guests at the first cafe event tucked into tea and cakes which had been donated from local sources.

The event was put on by the Greenmount Village Community Group and chairman Alistair Waddell was impressed with the turnout.

He said: "These things are fantastic and the turnout is brilliant. A number of people have put a lot in to getting this venture off the ground. It’s not an easy thing to get going but hopefully this is the start of something great."

The opening of the cafe coincided with the national dementia awareness week which is running until 21st.

The campaign is being run by Alzheimer's Society to raise awareness and lead the fight against dementia.

The next D-CaFF will be held on 10th June from 1.15pm until 3.15pm.

For more information email d-caff@greenmountvillage.org.uk