The dementia-friendly Tuesday Memory Club in Ramsbottom celebrated its first birthday this week with cakes, songs, and a special surprise guest.
Twelve months ago, the club started meeting at Christ Church on Great Eaves Road, Ramsbottom, allowing people with dementia and their families to connect, reminisce, and laugh together in a safe and comforting environment.
Chief organiser Jean Pound heads up an 'army of volunteers' at the club, which meets on the first Tuesday of every month.
She said: "We have a different theme each month, and this month's theme is Party Day, as it's our first anniversary.
"We started 12 months ago, in June 2025. We'll be trying to remember what we've done in the last year and have a bit of cake.
"We always have biscuits and a drink for people as they arrive, then today they'll be getting little cupcakes as well to decorate themselves.
"Each meeting consists of three sections. Firstly, reminiscing, then craft, then singing. We usually do our own singing, because one of our volunteers, Margerie, is a pianist.
"But today we've got a professional singer coming to surprise everyone."
Jean explained that the group now sees anywhere from 15-30 people attending each month, with local care homes often bringing residents along.
To attract guests, the club distributes flyers and spreads interest via word of mouth, while social prescribers like Sonia Javed also refer people to the group via Bury GP practices.
Sonia said: "What we do is signpost people to the community services and support people who might need extra support.
"So, I'll tell them to come to events like the Tuesday Memory Club, or I do a drop-in on a Thursday.
"Some people are anxious or socially isolated, so they come along, and it's really nice and friendly.
"You get tea and cakes, they love it.
"They just keep coming, it's brilliant."
Steve McDermott's mother, Sylvia, was diagnosed with dementia in 2023.
He and his brother, Tony, have been bringing Sylvia to the Tuesday Memory Club for several months.
He said: "These sorts of activities, if we can do anything to help, then hopefully it makes some difference.
"Mum likes coming here.
"Anything that benefits my mother is worth doing."
With this month's event marking one year since the Memory Club's inception, it was a particularly special day for everyone.
After the usual teas, coffees, and refreshments on arrival, guests sang classic songs and played some fun memory games, including a 'name that tune' quiz, with help from Margerie on piano.
After that, the birthday celebrations began, with cupcakes handed out and edible decorations for everyone to add.
Then came the highlight of the afternoon, with a special appearance from Blackburn singer Sherry-Leigh, who spent 15 years singing around local clubs across the Northwest.
She recently returned to the area after 20 years living in Australia and treated the Memory Club guests to her glamorous version of some fondly remembered tunes.
After the superb guest performance concluded, attention once again turned to the team of people who have helped the club grow to what it has become today.
Janet Richardson, another volunteer, said: "All these people do things every week and every month, and they do it with gusto.
"We want to say thank you and celebrate [the Memory Club's] birthday."
The next meeting of the Tuesday Memory Club will be held on Tuesday, July 7, from 1:30 pm-3:00 pm.
The club is held at Christ Church, Great Eaves Road, Ramsbottom, BL0 0PX.
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