A new “dementia café” has been launched in Holbeck by the Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust. Thirty people turned up to St Matthew’s community centre for a full English breakfast, a cup of tea and most importantly the chance to chat.
The idea of dementia cafes is to break down the isolation that many older people feel, particularly if they are suffering from dementia, or caring from someone who is.
Opening the café, Cllr David Congreve said:
“I’m delighted to open this dementia café which is an important initiative. Leeds has set out to become a dementia friendly city and I hope to see cafes like this in every community across the city.”
Cllr Adam Ogilvie, who is Executive Board member with responsibility for adult social care explained that the Council’s role in achieving this aim is to encourage and co-ordinate better services. West Yorkshire Police have already rolled out training to officers to help them deal appropriately with dementia sufferers. All service providers – the Council, bus and train staff, shop staff – can follow this example. The Council have increased funding to the Neighbourhood Networks, including Holbeck Elderly Aid, South Leeds Live at Home and Middleton Elderly Aid, by £300,000 this year. Part of that funding is directed at dementia services.
The Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust was formed after the tragic death of Ciaran, a young man from Belle Isle in a road traffic accident two years ago. The trust works to help elderly and vulnerable people across South Leeds, for example by running Sunday lunch clubs.
You can support their work by taking part in their 5k family fun run in Middleton Park next Sunday (8th September 2013). The run, or walk if you prefer starts at 9am from the visitor centre. To register for the event go to: cbftfamily5k.eventbrite.co.uk.
The next Holbeck Feast Dementia Café will be held on Saturday 28th September 2013 from 9:15 to 11am at St Matthew’s community centre.
