New Newcastle-under-Lyme dementia café welcomes first guests
A new café offering a warm and welcoming space for those living with the dementia, and their loved ones, has opened in Newcastle-under-Lyme, serving as a valuable support network for all local people.
Hosted by not-for-profit dementia specialist, Belong, B’s Café takes place at the Lower Street care village, and gives guests the opportunity to enjoy a range of experiences while accessing support and forming new friendships at the monthly sessions. The programme includes arts and crafts workshops, pet therapy, specialist exercise classes and visits from musical performers.
Also on-hand, Belong Admiral Nurses provide a dedicated dementia nurse service available through the organisation’s partnership with another charity, Dementia UK, offering advice and the confidence to help individuals and their loved ones manage a future living with dementia.
Emma Palin, experience coordinator at Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme, explains more about the new venture: “Dementia affects not only the person living with it, but also their family and friends, who are often their carers, too. We understand the challenges they can face, sometimes on their own, and that’s why we’ve launched B’s Café, to give a helping hand and a support network, which we know is vitally important to have.”
The dementia café is open to everyone, including non-residents. Speaking of the inaugural gathering, one guest said: “My husband is living with dementia and he was fully engaged and he said how marvellous the afternoon was – to hear him say this aloud means so much to me.”
Emma continues: “B’s café is named after our inspirational colleague, Belinda Jones, who is sadly no longer with us after losing a two-year battle with cancer. She helped shape our values, including being compassionate, and this extends outside our village to the wider community. Her legacy lives on and we know how much something like this would mean to her and her family.”
B’s Café takes place monthly at Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme, Lower Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2RS. The next sessions will be held 18th June and 13th July, 2pm – 4pm. For more information or to book a place, contact Emma Palin by calling 01782 986 300.
