Café a real buzz for people with young dementia (From The Oxford Times)

Café a real buzz for people with young dementia

8:20am Thursday 5th January 2012 in Features

“This illness can be lonely – friends and family drop away.” Jane’s husband, Roger, was diagnosed with young onset dementia in 2009, age 45.

They had always had a lively social life, played sport, were regulars at their local pub, and their only diary dates were doctors’ appointments. Then they started coming to our café and their diary started filling again.

Dementia is considered to be an old-age condition, but in fact it can appear much earlier, as young as 30. It affects every aspect of life.

YoungDementia UK, an Oxfordshire-based charity, supports younger people with dementia and their families. Our experienced team - including a growing band of volunteers - provides an active individual service for the younger person, and practical and emotional support for the family.

And for people like Jane and Roger, there is a lively calendar of social events – with our café as the highlight. “We tailor our support to meet the needs and aspirations of our members and so help them live life to the full,” says Tessa Gutteridge, director. “We also conquer the isolation felt by those living with dementia. This is why our café is so important. It offers our members a lifeline when they are feeling low, anxious and lonely.”

Our monthly evening cafés held in Cassington provide an opportunity to get together in a relaxed atmosphere and have fun. Often there is a theme, perhaps Spanish with tapas and flamenco, or a barn dance with sausage and mash. Our café volunteers make sure the evening goes with a swing.

A regular said: “What you do at the café is wonderful. We’ve made so many new friends now - I even got Joe to sing along to our rock and roll favourites last time!”

We need your help to continue the café – please support us. To donate to keep our café buzzing please go to www.justgiving.com/youngdementiauk or send a cheque payable to YoungDementia UK PO Box 315 Witney OX28 1ZN.

To volunteer at the café email mail@youngdementiauk.org or telephone 01993 776295. Visit www.youngdementiauk.org to find out more about us.