Memory cafe launches to combat loneliness

Sessions will run weekly on a Thursday to help people living with dementia

A memory cafe is being launched in Burntwood to help people living with dementia.

Magnolia Friends will run the sessions, aimed at offering a safe space and combatting loneliness.

Founder Karen Hurmson, said the idea was to provide support for people and an opportunity to make friends.

The sessions will run at Burntwood Memorial Institute on Rugeley Road from 11:00 GMT to 13:00 GMT on Thursdays, starting 11 January.

Ms Hurmson has worked with older people throughout her career, and has more recently received training to deliver chair-based exercise programmes.

She said: “I just really enjoy helping people get as much out of life as they can.”

She added: “Obviously memory loss isn’t going to go away, but hopefully what we do at the memory cafe is going to slow it down a bit if possible and the carers can have a bit of ‘me time’.”

The sessions will also be attended by advisors from the Alzheimer’s Society.

“We just want to makes people’s lives a little bit happier, with a bit of fun and laughter in a safe environment,” Ms Hurmson said.

Darren Ennis, leader of Burntwood Town Council said loneliness is a big issue among older people, and that he was pleased to hear the sessions would be starting up.

“During the pandemic the town council started ‘warmer welcomes’ and there are still 10 of them around the town in churches, the football club and the old mining college,” he said.

They played an important role in preventing social isolation, he added.