Whether you are a caregiver, a family member or you yourself are living with dementia, it can be a very difficult situation to deal with. Coping will be even harder if you are isolated from others and don’t have much support around you.
As the old saying goes, “sharing is caring”, and that’s why attending a memory café can make such a huge difference in your daily life and your well-being. Dementia-friendly pop-up cafés are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s important that the momentum is maintained within local communities. In September, Memory Lane launched its first cafés for English-speaking expats living with memory-related issues and loneliness.
Kelly Dugmore, Founder of the Memory Lane Community Network in the Algarve, told us, “The cafés welcome people living with dementia and loneliness. They will offer a place of support, comfort and inclusion, memory-friendly activities, fun and laughter, and it’s a chance to make new friends and chat with others living in a similar way. Whether you are a caregiver, a friend or a family member, everyone is welcome, and nobody is asked what their diagnosis is.”
Whilst the cafés are an opportunity for attendees to learn about other formal services and useful information, the gatherings are intentionally casual and a place of comfort, help and support. Memory Lane Community Network is also launching a calendar of memory-friendly events, such as fish and chip afternoons, tea dances, cream tea picnics and more.
Kelly told us, “Where possible, the events will be free to attend, but if there is a cost, it will be minimal so everyone can be included without breaking the bank. We are also looking for volunteers and fundraisers to make the cafés and events happen and keep them free to attend, so if you are interested in helping us, we would love to hear from you.”
The cafes are free to attend and are from 11 am –1 pm.
- West Algarve: 18 September at Gemma Hall in Lagos.
- East Algarve: 19 September in Loulé (venue TBC)
- Central Algarve: 20 September at Kit and Caboodle Work Shop Café in Alcantarilha
If you would like to attend, or for further information about events, please register your interest with the MLCN Team by calling +351 927 688 677, or email memorylane@algarvecare.com
