Alzheimers Cafés are proving popular in Staffordshire with 14 now set up across the county.
Based in a number of locations, the monthly cafés offer a safe place for people with dementia, their families, carers and friends to meet, share information and experiences, and get support.
Volunteers and professionals are on hand to provide advice, information, fill in forms and identify where help can be found.
Guest speakers such as psychiatrists, lawyers, and trading standards officers are invited to talk on a range of subjects, such as the legal aspects of being a carer, and how to find a reputable trader.
The cafés are used to introduce assistive technology devices to service users. For example, an automatic pill dispenser (see Staffordshire’s pill dispenser preparations story ) will be left in each of the cafés this month. People will be able to try it out and discuss whether or not it is relevant for them.
Six cafés are run by the Carers Association Southern Staffordshire in the south of the county. A further seven operate under the name of Approach Cafés in North Staffordshire, and the MASE café runs independently.
They are funded jointly by health and social care.
Assistive Technology Project Lead, Jim Elam said: “By supporting the cafés we have succeeded in building a virtual community for people who can often be sidelined and isolated. They have really taken off and we are attracting over 70 people at some sessions.”
The cafés won a special commendation in the 2008 West Midlands Regeneration Awards for improving the quality of life.
Contacts:
Alzheimers Cafés – Debbie Hill, Co-ordinator, telephone 01785 606675 or 07843 367 145, email: debbie.hill@carersinformation.org.uk
Approach Cafés – Paula Thursfield, Co-ordinator, telephone 01782 214999.
MASE Café – Daphe Sharpe, email : daphne.sharp@staffordshire.gov.uk or call Elaine Dunlop on 01785 823110 or Daphne Sharp on 07939505455.
Based in a number of locations, the monthly cafés offer a safe place for people with dementia, their families, carers and friends to meet, share information and experiences, and get support.
Volunteers and professionals are on hand to provide advice, information, fill in forms and identify where help can be found.
Guest speakers such as psychiatrists, lawyers, and trading standards officers are invited to talk on a range of subjects, such as the legal aspects of being a carer, and how to find a reputable trader.
The cafés are used to introduce assistive technology devices to service users. For example, an automatic pill dispenser (see Staffordshire’s pill dispenser preparations story ) will be left in each of the cafés this month. People will be able to try it out and discuss whether or not it is relevant for them.
Six cafés are run by the Carers Association Southern Staffordshire in the south of the county. A further seven operate under the name of Approach Cafés in North Staffordshire, and the MASE café runs independently.
They are funded jointly by health and social care.
Assistive Technology Project Lead, Jim Elam said: “By supporting the cafés we have succeeded in building a virtual community for people who can often be sidelined and isolated. They have really taken off and we are attracting over 70 people at some sessions.”
The cafés won a special commendation in the 2008 West Midlands Regeneration Awards for improving the quality of life.
Contacts:
Alzheimers Cafés – Debbie Hill, Co-ordinator, telephone 01785 606675 or 07843 367 145, email: debbie.hill@carersinformation.org.uk
Approach Cafés – Paula Thursfield, Co-ordinator, telephone 01782 214999.
MASE Café – Daphe Sharpe, email : daphne.sharp@staffordshire.gov.uk or call Elaine Dunlop on 01785 823110 or Daphne Sharp on 07939505455.
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