Society launches drop-in cafés

Nov 26 2008 by Sue McCann, Birkenhead News

THE Wirral branch of The Alzheimer’s Society will launch the first in a series of drop-in dementia cafés for carers and their loved ones in December.

The first will be held in Port Sunlight Garden Centre (formerly Green Hand Nursery), The Causeway, Port Sunlight, between 10am and noon on Wednesday, December 3.

The café initiative is just one aspect of the Dementia Outreach Project, which aims to extend support for carers and the person they care for into the community.

Nearly £50,000 from Wirral Primary Care Trust’s 3rd Sector Health Innovations Fund has enabled the Wirral branch to employ the two-part time outreach workers.

Volunteers will support them as the drop-in café scheme spreads across Wirral.

Said Sue: “Doing something as straightforward and natural as visiting a garden centre is something most of us take for granted, but when you look after someone with dementia it isn’t that simple.“You worry about them when you go to pay for food at the counter and you can’t just leave them to go browsing around.

“Drop-in cafes will give carers a bit of a breather in a pleasant, informal setting; somewhere to meet up with other carers knowing that the person they care for is being safely entertained nearby.”

The Wirral branch currently offer support and information to over 560 carers.

It is estimated that there are over 4,300 people over the age of 65 living with dementia in Wirral.

The Wirral branch – based in Seabank Road, Wallasey – offers support and information to carers through a telephone help line, home visits, support groups and Caring at Home courses.

The branch also offers dementia care training and represents carers and those with dementia at meetings with health and Social Services.

Carers wishing to attend the first drop-in café on December 3 should do just that – drop in!

Details of future venues will be announced in the local press and branch newsletters.