A Ripponden church has developed a café project designed to help those with dementia, their carers, the lonely and the isolated.
Inspired by the successful Memory Lane café in nearby Sowerby Bridge, St Bartholomew’s PCC has re-imagined and reshaped their church to be able to host a café twice a month aimed at providing a safe and stimulating place to be for those with dementia, their carers and their families.
It will open its doors for the first time next Wednesday – May 10th at 1.30pm and this Saturday (May 6) there is a Dementia Awareness day held in the church, organized by the Alzheimer’s Society. This will include family fun events, stalls, information, drop-in sessions with partner organizations, local services and support groups. Advice and information will also be available for carers.
Ripponden Parish Council has been working towards becoming a Dementia Friendly Community as part of the Calderdale Dementia Action Alliance and has put on several training evenings with the Alzheimer’s Society for local businesses, churches and other organizations.
It was this that led St Bartholomew’s PCC to develop a café in the church, based on the very successful Memory Lane café in Sowerby Bridge, which has had great impact on, and be very much valued by, people with dementia and their carers since it was set up about 18 months ago.
And on Wednesday 10 May, the Riverside Café will open its doors from 1.30 -3.30pm with a new kitchen, toilets, disabled access and its handy village centre location. It will cost £2 per person to cover expenses and tea/coffee and cake will be included. There will be crafts, activities, games, talks, music, and information or people can just sit and chat.
Members of other local churches, the Mothers’ Union, the Women’s Institute and other volunteers have all offered their support, by baking or volunteering in the café. The local GP practice has also been helpful and supportive, as has the Parish Council, the Alzheimer’s Society and Chris and June Harve, the organisers of the Memory Lane café.
Riverside Café will run on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, from 1.30 until 3.30pm and will welcome people with dementia, and their carers, Parkinson’s and similar conditions or those who are just lonely.
People can just turn up but if more information is required, please contact Kathleen on 01422 823441 or Alma on 01422 823504.
Memory Lane Café, Sowerby ……for further information contact Chris and June Harvey on 01422 706373