There were emotional scenes when Epping Forest’s largest emergency food agency launched a new community initiative in Waltham Abbey last week.

The 3MemoryCafe4U has been organised by 3Food4U and is open to anyone who would like to socialise, but particularly people with varying degrees of memory issues and those who love and care for them.

The sessions are activity based with singing, word games, puzzles, bingo and more with free light refreshments.

John, who has early onset dementia and who came to the launch, said: “I’m so pleased I came, such a warm inviting place with wonderful caring people.

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“The best bit was the singing and dancing, it was just what I needed. See you all next month.”

Sue came with her mum Margarita who has Parkinson’s disease and dementia, and was overwhelmed when Jonny, the group’s entertainer, sang Margarita’s favourite song ‘Pretty Woman’. Margarita’s reaction was wonderful to see.

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The next 3MemoryCafe4U in Waltham Abbey is on April 29 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and then the last Friday of each month.

Before the, there will be a memory cafe in Ongar on April 20 from 10am to 12pm and then every third Wednesday.

3Food4U is also offering free NHS Health checks next week at its community surplus hubs at Loughton, Ongar and Waltham Abbey in partnership with Provide.

The charity has a fundraising page at https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/3food4u

The charity’s community surplus hubs are open as follows:

  • Monday: Waltham Abbey – 13, Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Tuesday: Loughton – Loughton Club, 8, Station Road - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Wednesday: Chigwell Row – All Saints Church Hall, Romford Road - 5pm to 6.30pm
  • Thursday: Ongar – Zinc Arts Centre, High Street - 1pm to 2.30pm
  • Friday: Waltham Abbey – 13, Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm

For further details, visit www.3food4u.org, email info.3food4u@gmail.com or call 01992 842642.