Memory Cafes
‘Caroline brings an infectious joy and energy to the session, the gentle chair based exercises incorporate music, singing and colourful props.
Our guests become completely absorbed in the activity, joining in with enthusiasm and a lot of laughter, it’s an afternoon that boosts both mental and physical wellbeing.’
Annabel Dunn, St Agnes Memory Cafe
Many years leading sessions has shown me how valuable movement and singing can be for people with dementia and the pleasure it brings to carers seeing their loved ones engaged, relaxed and responding positively to the activity. The great value of creativity is its ability to reach many processes at once so that the sessions will stimulate cognitive function, group participation, increase mobility and coordination while generally having a good time.
Within the planned sessions, I like to respond to the participants’ interventions and to be ‘led astray’ in following their suggestions for songs or movement ideas. In this way the sessions are playful and spontaneous while based on the firm foundations of movement and singing and the benefits they bring to all the participants.
‘As a volunteer helping to run the memory cafe in Mullion, Cornwall, I have come to know Caroline through her visits to us. Music, without question, helps improves the mood for people with memory problems and their carers. Caroline has a wonderful way of connecting everyone through music and movement involving everyone in the room even those less willing to join in!
At the memory cafe we strive to improve the wellbeing of everyone attending, if only for a couple of hours. With the help of Caroline, so knowledgeable, so joyful and professional, we are able to achieve this, we all go home more contented, more calm and absolutely glad that we got together.’
Kathryn Bird, Mullion Sunshine Cafe