Epping Forest's Memory Lane Cafe: Creating Connections and Building Support Networks
At Memory Lane Café, we provide a monthly gathering in Theydon Bois Village Hall offering a friendly space for individuals with dementia, their families, and carers to socialise, share experiences, and strengthen support networks. Organised by Home Instead Epping Forest our dedicated Community Relations Manager, Maureen Wheeler, takes pride in organising these events and ensures a smooth and enjoyable afternoon for all.
Contact usMemory Lane Café: Building Connections and Community
One of the many ways we fulfil this commitment is through our Memory Lane Café. Held monthly every second Wednesday of the month in the spacious Oak Hall, this initiative offers quizzes, engaging activities, food, and plenty of opportunities to build friendships. The standout feature of our gatherings, though, is the music.
The smiles on attendees’ faces, shared laughter, and growing bonds of community and support make each Memory Lane Café event heartwarming and memorable.
Music: A Powerful Communication Tool
Kevin, one of our dedicated Care Professionals and an accomplished guitarist, leads a lively sing-a-long to round off each session. Music has a fantastic ability to reach into the hearts and minds of our attendees, including those in the later stages of dementia. It serves as a potent medium for awakening memories, invoking emotions, and bridging gaps where words may fail.
We leave every Memory Lane Café event heartened by the smiles on our attendees’ faces. The socialisation and sense of belonging that arise from these gatherings have a profound positive effect on mental wellbeing, boosting mood, and reducing feelings of isolation.
Benefits of Attending Memory Café
Memory Lane Café offers more than just a few hours of enjoyment. The benefits of participating in such a community initiative are numerous. For individuals with dementia, it provides a welcoming and supportive environment where they can engage in stimulating activities, connect with others, and share their experiences. The power of music, as demonstrated by Kevin’s guitar performance, acts as a powerful communication tool, awakening memories, and emotions that may otherwise remain dormant.
The benefits extend beyond the duration of the event. Participants often find that the positive impact lingers, brightening their days long after the Memory Lane Café gathering. The shared experiences and bonds formed during these events create a sense of belonging and support that extends into everyday life.
Joyful Moments at our Recent Memory Lane Event
This recent Memory Lane event held last June 14 was a resounding success, with attendees thoroughly enjoying the afternoon. Maureen and the Home Instead team created a welcoming atmosphere where everyone felt included and valued.
The event also celebrated a client’s special milestone, her 90th birthday, with a delightful cake that brought a beaming smile to her face. A lively quiz with exciting prizes added to the fun, and the highlight of the gathering was the abundance of music. Kevin, an accomplished guitarist and one of our dedicated Care Professionals, played a selection of songs that had everyone enthusiastically joining in. The afternoon was made even more special when two talented singers from the audience shared their favourite tunes, further enhancing the joyful atmosphere.
As the music filled the hall, many attendees couldn’t resist the urge to dance, creating an atmosphere of pure enjoyment. Laughter and fun filled the air as the afternoon flew by, leaving lasting memories for everyone involved. Based on the overwhelming response, we are excited to announce our plans for a Tea Dance in August, catering to the love for dancing within our community. We will have a professional dancer Emma from Steps Ahead to provide some demonstrations it should be great fun. Whether participants wish to take to the dance floor or simply enjoy watching others, it promises to be a delightful event.
The positive impact of Memory Lane Café was echoed by attendees who shared their thoughts:
- “Thanks so much for a lovely afternoon… Mum really enjoyed the afternoon, and Chris and I did too. You did a great job, and we all really appreciate it. Hopefully, I will see you at another one.”
- “Thank yourself and all the staff involved in providing a thoroughly enjoyable and necessary afternoon of entertainment, fun, and friendly activities. The informal but well-organised event is a real boon for clients and their helpers and as long as we are able to continue attending, I trust that Home Instead will carry on in this progressive vein, so important.”
- “H said he has made lots of new friends, he enjoys the music and dancing, and looks forward to seeing them on Wednesdays.”
- “Thank you to you all for an enjoyable afternoon… I always get so much more than I give… thank you… what a wonderful job you all do.”
- “My parents both have dementia, and the Memory Lane event was the highlight of their week – they couldn’t stop talking about how much fun they had. The positive effect on their mental health is amazing.”
Join Us!
You’re cordially invited to join us at our upcoming Memory Café every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm in the Oak Hall, Theydon Bois Village Hall. Experience first hand the welcoming atmosphere, the power of music, and the communal spirit that encapsulates the essence of our Memory Lane Café.
Additionally, we host Singing for the Brain and DanceSing activities at the same venue, offering more opportunities for stimulation, interaction, and fun. Feel free to arrive early and park at the Hall’s ample parking space.
These events require pre booking. Please contact Maureen to reserve a place. You may send her an email at [email protected] or you may also contact us at 01992 666777 or visit us at Suite 3 Premier House, 141 High Street, Epping CM16 4BD
Help us make a difference in the lives of those living with dementia and their families. We look forward to welcoming you to our forthcoming events.
