Services for people with dementia in Birmingham are being expanded as the Alzheimer’s Society enlarges its popular dementia café programme to cover more areas of the city. 7 new dementia cafes are opening across the city and 1 new Singing for the Brain group is being created. There already are 5 dementia cafes across the city that have been running for up to 5 years.
Dementia cafes are a great opportunity for people living with dementia and their families to come together with people experiencing similar issues. This can help reduce isolation that sometimes accompanies dementia and improve well-being.
Peter Allcock from Ballsall Common regularly attends a dementia café in Knowle that features Singing for the Brain sessions. He said: “I love these groups: they’re so helpful and you get a chance to sing sometimes too as I’ve been a singer for most of my life. You meet people here with a like mind and similar problems and that helps a lot.”
Singing for the Brain sessions offer a fun, accessible way for people with dementia to socialise. The power of recall for music and popular songs is something that is drawn upon in the sessions providing attendees with a way to express themselves and support their well-being.
Dorothy Dakin from Bournville attends an activity group in King’s Heath with her husband John who has Alzheimer’s. She said: “He feels he can forget his Alzheimer’s which is very positive and he feels very normal so to speak. He enjoys the company and has been attending for 18 months having had dementia for two and a half years.”
These new dementia cafes will help those living with dementia live well and serve an important role in involving people in their local communities.
Sara Campbell, Dementia Café Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Society in Birmingham said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for those with dementia and carers to meet people, socialise and feel comfortable in safe surroundings. We hope to break down barriers and offer people with dementia a place to talk and enjoy themselves.”
