Cafe makes fresh memories

Organisers of a new style of cafe for people with dementia hope it will take off in Narrogin after calling for more local awareness around the event. The Forget Me Not Memory Cafe concept was initiated in WA by Angi McCluskey, whose husband Michael was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s four years ago. Mrs McCluskey decided to create a memory cafe after the couple struggled with social isolation and longed for a place they could meet friends without fear or the awkwardness living with dementia could sometimes bring. The Narrogin Forget Me Not Cafe is a joint collaboration between the library and Gnarojin Community Gardens. Narrogin Library manager and cafe organiser Kay Weaver said she was inspired by her friend’s efforts in setting up memory cafes around WA. “The idea is so the person living with dementia and their carer or family can come along to a sociable morning tea and have a chat with like-minded people who are experiencing the same situation,” she said. The first Narrogin event was held last month with an underwhelming turnout. “Hopefully we can turn this into a monthly event and get it well-known around the community,” Ms Weaver said. “I would like people to know that anyone interested is welcome to come along.” Ms Weaver said the Gnarojin Community Gardens provided an ideal spot for the cafe be-cause of its safe environment. Ms Weaver said she wanted to assure the public the memory cafe was not a respite activity but something for everyone to be involved in. “Myself and Jan Smith, from the Gnarojin Community Gardens, sing to the visitors because music is often a good way to get people’s memories working again by recognising songs,” Ms Weaver said. The Forget Me Not Cafe at the Gnarojin Community Gardens meets every second Thursday from 10.30am until noon.