Alzheimer's Café

The Alzheimer's Café opened on Wednesday 20th May 2015, by the Worshipful the Mayor of Wokingham Borough, Cllr UllaKarin Clark.  It is aimed at providing a place for those living with this condition and their carers to get together for a time of fellowship: tea, chat, friendship, singing, music, stories, gentle sports and sharing.  Activities have included:

• A monthly speaker
• Question time
• Social and sharing time
• Books, fact sheets and resources
• Make-up sessions by Boots the Chemist
• Free refreshments
• Resource boxes from Wokingham Library
• Music time

The Café meets on Wednesdays fortnightly (term-time only), from 2.00 to 3.30pm in the Bradbury Centre Café Mosaic.

Future meetings (no need to book):

  2 & 30 April 2025
14 May
11 & 25 June
 9 & 23 July
 3 September

Alzheimer’s Café

I have been coordinating this regular meeting since Claire Knight left us. 

Around 35-40 people regularly attend fortnightly on Wednesdays during term time; these are people with mild-moderate dementia and their carers.  We provide refreshments and activities such as books, puzzles, quizzes and music to encourage people to share their memories.

As people have got to know each other, they have greatly valued the support and encouragement they receive from each other, especially those who are looking after their spouses.  Friendships have been formed while people are swapping recipes, advice or stories about what works for them.   One man remains a regular attender even though his wife has now moved to a care home; it’s good to see the support given to him by both volunteers and attenders of the group as he has expressed some of his difficult feelings.

We benefit from regular attendance by Michelle and Hazel, who work for Wokingham Borough Council, and can advise as to what support can be provided at home. 

In December, we held a Christmas party, which featured Anna Nightingale, a singer, and a visit from Santa Claus.  The food was kindly sponsored by Parson’s Grange and Alexandra Grange care homes, and Anna Nightingale was sponsored by Circus Scene and Wokingham in Need. 

We started to include a short service of worship each month, and this has been appreciated by those who attend.

In the next few months, Eileen Goode will be leading a community singing session, accompanied by Tom Barker and Creative Mojo will lead an art session.

There is always room for another volunteer, so if you feel this might be for you, please do drop in on one of the advertised dates and see what we do.  Whether you are good at practical things such as making hot drinks and handing round the biscuits, or the essential chatting and befriending, you would be very welcome.

Kim Tame