Westbury Memory Café has celebrated its first ten years.
The café, run by Wiltshire charity Alzheimer’s Support for people living with dementia and their families, was the first in Wiltshire when it opened in July 2009.
For the tenth anniversary meeting, Westbury Primary School’s ukulele club gave a performance before everyone tucked into a buffet supper and cake.
Peter May, who has attended since the café was launched said, “I used to come with my wife Sheila and I still come now and bring other people who cannot get here on their own. It is a wonderful thing that goes on here and people really do value it.”
Stephany Bardzil from Alzheimer’s Support, who ran the café in the early days said, “When it started, the Westbury café was the first social meeting place for families affected by dementia in Wiltshire.
“It was a pioneering thing to do then, but now there are many more opportunities for people to get together. Alzheimer’s Support alone runs seven cafes across the county and there are many more organised by local communities where people can go for information, conversation and to meet people in similar circumstances.
“We have had some wonderful evenings over the years and it is great to see the café still going strong – although we could do with more members as numbers have dipped recently.”
The café meets at Grassacres Hall on the second Thursday evening of each month from 7pm. The programme includes a buffet supper, entertainment and talks and there is plenty of time for chat and a chance to talk informally to a dementia adviser or other members of Alzheimer’s Support staff.
To come along call 91380 739055 or book your place at www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk
