Following eight successful trial sessions, the Memory Café in Tavistock is to be launched on Monday with an informal lunch at The Anchorage Centre. The café is a joint initiative run by Tavistock Area Support Services, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Social Services and the Alzheimer?s Society. It aims to provide friendly advice, information and support to anyone who wants to find out more about memory and ageing. The café will open on a fortnightly basis, with the next session being held on Saturday, October 21 between 2pm- 4pm. Community Mental Health Nurse, Nellie Minnema, said: 'We would like to encourage anyone who is worried about their memory, or someone they care for, to come along to the café. It will be a social setting where people can find out more about issues related to memory, get practical advice and talk about their concerns. It can be a distressing time for people who do not know who to turn to for support and guidance. The Café sessions provide a relaxed atmosphere for people to talk and share their experiences, which helps to reduce anxieties and the isolation that can be felt when faced with memory problems.' Gill Gorbutt, who cares for her husband, said: 'It is marvellous news. There has been a clearly proven need for such a meeting place for people with developing and established memory problems and their carers. Before it started, there seemed to be nothing specifically aimed at people in our situation and, as a carer, it has given me the chance to meet and share with other carers - and it has given my husband a safe environment where he can enjoy the company of others and have some fun.'
