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Memory cafés for people experiencing memory loss have opened in two Staffordshire villages.

The new facilities are based in retirement living communities managed by Care Plus in Penkridge and Essington. Catering for residents of those schemes and others in the surrounding area, they are bringing people together to connect, socialise and find support.

The popular weekly meetings set up by the volunteer and engagement team at Care Plus, are free to attend and feature conversation, music, activities and refreshments.

Christine - not her real name - attends one of the new memory cafés. "I'm at an early place in my journey, I know that my memory isn't what it was, which makes me anxious. I was looking for answers, a way of understanding what is happening to me and perhaps to find things that I can do, to slow down the process. 

"I really enjoy coming here, everyone is very friendly and there are different activities each week. I still do all my own housework and I've got a beautiful garden, I'm determined to keep going and the memory café is helping me to do that."

Care Plus volunteers help to run the memory cafés. Richard was given the opportunity to get involved in volunteering by his employer. "My grandmother had dementia, so I was keen to do something where I can help other people with memory loss. I'm planning and leading activities, making the tea and doing whatever is needed. There's a lot of laughter and you can see how much everyone gets out of the sessions. It's uplifting and it feels good to know that I've made a difference, in a small way." 

Volunteer Sam leads activities at a memory café in a retirement living community that she already visited as a befriender.  "Memory cafés arefriendly, inclusive events where people with dementia or other memory loss and their care-givers can get together to socialise and take part in activities. We are helping them to share memories and make new ones," she says.

Sue Atkins is head of specialist supported housing at Care Plus, the housing and care company which is part of the not-for-profit provider Housing Plus Group.

She explained why she believes the new memory cafes are offering such an important service: "Many of us have experienced dementia and memory loss in our own families and know what that means for the person concerned and the people around them," she says. "These lively sessions are bringing real benefits for those taking part."

For information about the memory cafés in Penkridge and Essington, emailengagement&volunteering@care-plus.org.uk

If you would like to become a Care Plus volunteer like Richard and Sam, visit  https://www.care-plus.org.uk/careers/volunteering-with-us

Caption for picture CP23103 Memory Cafe:

Customer engagement and volunteer coordinator at Care Plus, Sheila Worsley is pictured in one of the new Memory Cafes. 

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Background for editors   

Care Plus specialises in housing and support for older people and those with physical or learning difficulties. Managing 55 retirement living communities in Staffordshire and Shropshire as well as a residential nursing home, Care Plus helps people to live independently in their own homes with support including 24:7 telecare response, wellbeing services and home care.   

The personal care service delivered by Care Plus has been assessed as Good in all areas by the Care Quality Commission.    

Registered as a Charitable Community Benefit Society, Care Plus is a Housing Plus Group company. The Group is a leading provider of quality, affordable homes and care services that customers can trust. Member companies also include Homes Plus, Property Plus and Severn Homes.  

With a vision to be a resilient organisation, making a positive difference to homes, lives and communities, Housing Plus Group employs around 1,000 people in Staffordshire and Shropshire. The growing Group is addressing the housing crisis locally, by building new homes for rent, shared ownership and outright sale. It has committed to delivering affordable care and support for older people in their own homes and to creating new apprenticeship opportunities in the Group and its supply chain. 

Housing Plus Group is inspiredand guidedby the values which are the foundations of its work: Communication, Learning, Accountable, Respectful, Inclusive, Trust and You.  

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) requires that all registered providers confirm compliance with the Regulatory Framework, Governance and Financial Viability Standard. Housing Plus Group complies with this standard, holding the RSH highest rating for governance, G1 and V2 for viability. Please visit www.gov.uk to find out more.

www.care-plus.org.uk  
  

Further information 

Mara Hargreaves  
Head of marketing and communications   
Mobile (p): 07967 967 466
e:mara.hargreaves@housingplusgroup.co.uk

Clare Chick 
Marketing and communications officer 
m: 07950 254 279 
e:clare.chick@housingplusgroup.co.uk  

Martin Farrow 

CHANGEWORKS Communications 
t:  + 44 (0) 1785 247588 
m: +44 (0)7771 970025 
e:mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk