What happens here?...........

This panel gives you an idea of how the Falmouth Memory Café afternoon goes.

Importantly, it should be remembered that we are all very friendly and that we all contribute towards the event. The name of the Falmouth Memory Café that was chosen by us all in the beginning is ‘The Elderberries’.  Our logo is a drawing of a bunch of elderberries.

Though the Memory Café runs from 2 – 4pm., people arrive from 1.30pm because tables and chairs get arranged and activities are put out – e.g. word searches, a quiz, games, The Daily Sparkle (a newspaper of interesting items) all of which can be used whilst people are arriving and chatting. When we arrive, we give our names and get our name badge. We do this so that we can see people’s names and also because we have to comply with safety regulations.

People find a seat around the one big table wherever the fancy takes them. Usually most have arrived by about 2.30pm and then we all sing our ‘Welcome’ song, democratically chosen by our group which is ‘Here we are again, happy as can be……’  Then someone says a few words about what‘s happening this particular day, perhaps a Beetle Drive, a dance session (armchair style, no leaping about!), massage, singing , Bingo etc.

We are hoping to arrange other activities such as a trip to the local theatre, a pub lunch but we have to discuss this with all our Elderberries early in 2011.

At 3pm tea is served. Egg and cress sandwiches, cake, tea and coffee.  Anyone who is willing helps with getting tea ready and clearing up and doing dishes. Then we carry on with whatever activities we have been doing and generally have a good chat. With so many different people coming to the café we are never short of ideas and we have a great deal of fun. The two hours goes far too quickly, and at 4pm we sing our departing song, ‘We’ll meet again, we know where, we know when…..’ and that is it until the next meeting of The Elderberries. We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 2 – 4pm, in a lovely comfortable room at the back of the Emmanuel Church on Western Terrace. There is plenty of car parking at the back.

You will have gathered that everyone is very friendly, relaxed and welcoming. We are all equal and are treated as such. We respect each other’s abilities, at the same time we offer each other any help that may be needed from time to time with empathy and understanding. We usually have one or more professionals from the health care service on hand if a confidential chat is needed. There is also a table of information leaflets on a variety of subjects.

The Falmouth Memory Café is
FRIENDLY, FUN AND FREE