The dedicated and tireless team of volunteers at Wellfield community centre came together to mark  Dementia Awareness week, raising £1200 for the Memory Café held at the hall.

The free café, which celebrated its 4th birthday last summer, holds monthly events providing support and advice for carers and family members of those with dementia, along with a chance for those living with dementia to get out of the house, get involved in fun activities and chat to others who understand what they are experiencing.

The café relies on local volunteers and donations to run the events, with £800 of the money raised going towards the running costs of the cafés and activities. The remaining £400 will support the other groups held at the hall; the Carer's Café, Simply Singing group and pop-in coffee morning.

Vee McGannon, a resident of Wellfield and organiser of the event said “It was lovely to see so many people on what was such a busy and emotional day.  The atmosphere was something like I had never experienced before. ” 

Activities included a quiz, afternoon tea, a selection of stalls selling arts and crafts, gifts and beauty products, tombola, sing-along and a free Dementia Friends session, where visitors received training to become a 'Dementia Friend'. 

The Hartley café is run on the first Thursday of each month, 10am to 12 noon at Wellfield Community Hall, DA3 7EG. For more information please call Vee on 01474 709023

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