Today (10 October 2025) is World Mental Health Day and is being marked at Gasgoigne House extra care scheme in Middleton where I live, with a coffee afternoon, with Laura doing a themed quiz.
There is a lot on the news today, with one particular lady talking about her baby dying and five days later her husband commiting suicide.
Which brings me to my link below, at my attempted suiside in 2012.
Laura presented the first Memory Cafe at Gascoigne House last Wednesday with many of the residents taking part and with mentors helping us.
This cafe is for people with dementia, Alzheimer’s and memory loss. You did fantastic Laura and got help from resident Lisa giving out drinks. We sang to songs on the big screen and asked questions about memories, on a ball thrown to us.
My first question on the ball was about my married life. Quickly moving on. The next question on the ball passed to me was what song reminds me of my childhood. Because of my dementia, I could not recall one.
The Memory Cafe at Gascoigne House is going to be held once a month. I also go to one at Middleton Elderly Aid, on the last Wednesday of the month. It starts at 1.30pm if you want to go along.
I also go to one at the Black Bull pub in Rothwell every Monday afternoon, although taking a break myself from this at the moment. This one is run by Paula, and when I do go, I take along a picture quiz and prizes.
At one time I used to go to four a week/month including one I started up at the Parnaby Tavern pub in Hunslet. We had one at the police station at Elland Road, that was fantastic fun with the police handing out sandwiches and drinks in the cafe area.
I remember asking a policewoman, why do they have ultra violet light in the toilets. She said it was “to stop you shooting up, you can’t find a vein in our toilets.” Not that I want to.
Please click this link to read about my suicide attempt back in 2012.
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
While you’re here, can we ask a favour?
South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we’ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper which have doubled in the last two years.
Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?
Donate here, or sign up for a subscription at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe
