New dementia café

The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Robert Taylor, did the honours at the dementia café at Laureate Court care home off Wellgate.

Entertainment at the launch was provided by the band Ukes of Hazzard, while children from Lime Tree Nursery were invited to join residents in a variety of games.

The care home’s management said they hoped to welcome the wider community and establish the home as a support hub for those in Rotherham who are living with, or know someone living with, dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are currently around 900,000 people with dementia in the UK.

A dementia café provides a safe space, free from judgement, where you can go for a cup of tea and a chat with either experienced specialised dementia professionals or connect with others in a similar position.

The café can also provide advice and information for someone caring for a loved one with dementia, as supporting family members and carers is an important function of the cafés.

Home manager Lisa Facer said: “We have launched the Dementia Café as we are keen to support and engage with the local community and promote our care home whilst raising awareness of the effects of dementia.

“The dementia café will be a safe space to offer a support mechanism for people affected who can come together and share their ideas and experiences to support one another.”