In April 2023, Yate Town Council launched a free monthly Memory Café service at the Pop Inn Café in Yate Shopping Centre, for people with memory loss conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, and their carers, friends and family.
Since it launched, Memory Café has become incredibly popular, supporting more than 350 customers in its first year, with free food and drinks, games, crafts, music, the listening ears of friendly volunteers, and much more!
To celebrate 1 year since launching, Yate Town Council held a BIG dementia lunch at the Armadillo Youth Café on 19th April, to thank all those involved in the success of Memory Café, including customers and the wonderful volunteer team, funders, supporters, charities, emergency services and carers in our community.
More than 50 guests enjoyed a free dementia-friendly buffet, crafts, cake filled goodie bags, and a special performance from ‘Singalong With the Jays & Joy’.
The Town Mayor, Councillor Cheryl Kirby, commented:
“The celebration marks a special milestone for our community, and for all the people who have worked together to ensure Yate is a dementia friendly town. This success would not be possible without the commitment and support of our volunteers, staff and partners, who put their hearts into planning and delivering this special service. We are inspired by the Memory Café’s success, to continually grow our inclusive services, so that more people can live better in Yate.”
The quick success of Memory Café in its first year showed the need for more open access services in Yate, where those living with either diagnosed or undiagnosed memory loss conditions feel welcomed so, in January 2024, Yate Town Council added a second session to the schedule, with Memory Café now open from 1-3pm on the first and third Fridays of each month (excluding December).
Yate Town Council continues to grow its Ageing Better program, and its next big event will be the Yate Ageing Better Festival on 16th July 11am-1pm, in Yate Shopping Centre. To find out more about Yate Ageing Better projects, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, visit our website, or contact Yate Town Council at [email protected] or telephone 01454 866506.