Tom and I are cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End and are hoping to raise funds for the Armada Family Practice Memory Cafe in Whitchurch that my Mum and Dad attend.

My Dad received a dementia diagnosis in December 2022. He was an active person before this, spending a lot of time travelling, and also doing woodturning and being a member of a local woodturning club.

Due to some of the medications he’s on he suddenly became a lot less outgoing, preferring to stay at home and read. My Mum has become his carer and his diagnosis has clearly impacted her too as their world has suddenly become a lot smaller and more isolated.

The Memory Cafe they attend once a month is really important for them, it is an opportunity for my Dad to be encouraged to leave the house, and also for my Mum to socialise with others in a similar situation.

It doesn’t have charitable status, and although it is run by staff from the local doctor’s surgery, it isn’t funded by the NHS. It would be lovely if we could raise some money for them so they can continue to provide an important service and have the funds to arrange more activities.

Whether you donate, share, or cheer us on, your support means the world to us.

More about the Memory Cafe:

The Armada Family Practice Memory Cafe was established 2016. 

The aim of this service is to provide a welcoming environment for patients registered at the Practice who have a dementia diagnosis, and for their care-givers.

We aim to provide a welcoming and supportive environment where our attendees can meet with others with similar experiences for social interaction, helping to prevent social isolation, providing support for both the people with dementia and their carers.

The Memory Cafe runs once a month for 2 hours. We provide some refreshments and each month we organise a stimulating theme/activity for all to participate in as much or as little as desired.

On average we have 20-30 people who attend each session. 

The group is organised by Helen Bradshaw and a colleague, both Practice Nurses with a passion for working with people with dementia. We are at hand to speak to the attendees as a group or on a one to one basis, which is very often the case. We also have support with running the group from colleagues, Dementia Navigators and a volunteer. 

This is a non-profit making organisation but we do charge a small fee to cover the refreshments and we provide events where any money raised is ploughed back into the Cafe which gives us the opportunity to try to arrange a greater range of activities. 

Activities we provide includes arts and crafts, singing, entertainment, gentle exercise to music, guest speakers, and more. 

I hope this gives you a good insight regarding the Armada Family Practice Memory Cafe.