Dementia cafes run by Alzheimer's Society in Warwick and Kenilworth will permanently close

Dementia cafes run by the Alzheimer's Society across Warwickshire will close permanently.

The charity suspended their cafes in Warwickshire and Solihull last March due to the pandemic but have now announced they will not be reopening.

The five dementia cafes in the county that will be closing are the ones located in Kenilworth, Compton Verney, Warwick, Stratford and Bedworth.

Janice Le Tellier, area manager for Midlands central at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The Dementia Cafes in Warwickshire and Solihull have been suspended since March 2020, as a result of coronavirus restrictions.

"During this time, we’ve been supporting the people who use the service by phone and online.

"We have now made the decision to close these cafes permanently.

"We remain committed to people living with dementia locally and our priority is to support people with dementia and their carers who are affected by this change.

“Like all charities, the pandemic had a significant impact on our fundraising this last year, and we expect to see the challenges continue into next year.

"We can’t and shouldn’t try to do everything.

"We need to focus on what people with dementia tell us they want most (which is information, advice and one point of empathetic contact from people who understand dementia to guide them from the point of diagnosis through to end-of-life) and what we can uniquely deliver whilst reaching more people.

“Alzheimer’s Society will continue to support people affected by dementia in Warwickshire through our Singing for the Brain groups and Dementia Connect service.

"Dementia Connect is our new personalised support and advice service connecting people with dementia, their carers and families to the right support, at the right time, in the right way; combining local face-to-face support from our highly-trained dementia advisers with telephone and online advice, to help people come to terms with their diagnosis and navigate the complicated maze of health and social care services.

“People affected by dementia can continue to turn to Alzheimer’s Society for support, help and advice. Our Dementia Connect support line is available seven days a week on 0333 150 3456 or visit alzheimers.org.uk”

Although the cafes provided by the Alzheimer's Society will close there are other groups and 'memory cafes' run by other organisation that are due to reopen in the coming months.

The dementia support service at the Brunswick Hub in Leamington is just one and many local groups are all hoping to open again around June/July.

The Triple Link group at the Brunswick Hub is due to start again on July 7 with sessions at 11am and 1pm.

For more information email: [email protected]

For more information about dementia support services across Warwickshire go to: https://www.pbrittontrustfordementia.org.uk/