DANCING, tea and cake will be on the agenda to mark the first anniversary of Knowle and Dorridge’s Memory Cafe.
To mark the occasion, the team is inviting members, families, supporters and partners to a special Tea Dance celebration on June 17, held at Dorridge Methodist Church from 10.30am to 1pm.
Professional dancers Liz and Robert are set to lead classic styles such as the Waltz, Quick-Step, Rumba and Jive.
Everyone is welcome to join in at their own pace, with the morning rounding off with a relaxed lunch among friends old and new.
The cafe, which runs every Tuesday from 10.30am to 12.30pm, was launched in June 2024 by Unique Senior Care.
Karen Wilkinson, community coordinator at the Memory Cafe, said: “When we first started, we hoped to create a friendly place where people living with dementia and their families could feel supported, understood and part of something.
“A year on, it’s become much more than that. Every week, we see friendships forming, confidence growing, and people smiling who hadn’t smiled in a long time.
“The Tea Dance is our way of saying thank you to everyone who’s been part of the journey.”
The group welcomes up to 60 regular members and supported by a team of volunteers.
Activities at the group include music, movement, conversation and regular visits from professional organisations.
The team also run seasonal community events, host dementia workshops, and work closely with other local organisations including Admiral Nurses, Age UK, Carers Trust Solihull and the Alzheimer’s Society.
They’ve even set up partnerships with nearby schools to encourage intergenerational understanding and empathy.
There are already plans to open a second cafe in Solihull later this year.
For more about the Knowle and Dorridge Memory Cafe contact Karen on 07974 263742 or email karen.wilkinson@ uniquecare.co.uk.
