Memory Cafe for dementia patients and carers in Buckhurst Hill receives "brilliant" response

The Memory Café in Roding Valley Hall on Station Way, Buckhurst Hill, launched in January 2019 and meet on the second Friday of every month.

Over 30 volunteers help run piano sing-a-longs, painting classes and serve tea, coffee and cakes to around 25 attendees.

Anthony Young, chair of Buckhurst Hill’s U3A and committee member of Buckhurst Hill Residents Society, explained why the café was set up.

“One of our committee members is part of the Rotary Club in Leytonstone in Woodford and said they have a Memory Café and made he suggestion of setting one up.

Members of both clubs went to Buckhurst Hill Parish Council to propose if they would fund the cost of the hosting the meetings.

The council granted permission and agreed to fund the hall for a year, allowing the café to run virtually free of charge.

“Buckhurst Hill Parish Council is currently running an isolation and loneliness project we have offering it to people who are lonely and come in for a cup of tea and have chat.” said Mr Young.

To raise funds for food, drinks and activities, the Memory Café signed up to Waitrose’s Green Token scheme and just received £420.

U3A and the Resident’s Society also donated £200 each and hope this will cover costs for the next two years.

Mr Young, who is also a volunteer for charity Alzheimer’s Society, said his mother who suffers from the dementia, is one of the many patients who regularly attend.

“The response has been brilliant, the volunteers get as much fun out of as the people who come,” said Mr Young. “It’s just as much for the carers as it is for the people with dementia because you need someone to talk to.

“There is always someone to look after the patients if the carers want to gather together for a chat.”

“They are more stimulated in company they know all the words to the songs and it just makes people happier and it makes them smile.”

The Memory Cafés next meet up is Friday, April 12 from 10am-12pm.