Students run Marjon Memory Café

Released: 24.04.18

Back in January, Plymouth Marjon University Employability Co-ordinator Faye Hatherley-Edwin was successful in a grant application for ‘Moments to Remember’ through the Devon Memory Café Consortium. The money was used to provide an afternoon Tea Dance lead by Chloe Brown and Karen Parkinson from Plymouth Dance with cream tea refreshments for the Marjon Memory Café users. The event was supported by Dr. Hazel Bending, Marjon Memory Café Lead Practitioner and Marjon student volunteers who support the Memory Café during term time on a fortnightly basis.

The Marjon Memory Café provides an opportunity for people with dementia and other memory disorders and their family and carers to regularly meet up and exchange information and their experiences of living with memory problems. Marjon Memory Café offers a friendly and informal environment where guests can feel safe and enjoy the outing from home.

The café is supported by Marjon student volunteers studying at University enabling them the opportunity to gain experiences of working alongside people with dementia and their carers. Students are encouraged to help with organised activities that can provide fun and beneficial surroundings for people with dementia. Activities we offer are emphasized on reminiscing, and this can involve discussion around old photos, familiar items from the past, music and films or art & craft sessions.

The Marjon Memory Café is part of an ongoing series and if you would like to attend please contact Faye on 01752 636700 for future dates. More information on Memory Cafés across Devon can be found via www.dmcc.org.uk/.