Central Devon MP and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride visited Pavilion in the Park on Friday to learn more about Okehampton’s new memory café with local Devon County Councillor Lois Samuel. The pair met with Vicky Hopkins (befriending co-ordinator at Community Links), Ian Blythe (General Manager of OCRA) and Lynn Roddy (Home Instead).
The café, which launched in March, meets every Tuesday from 1pm to 3pm and is open to anyone suffering with dementia, as well as their carers and loved ones. Through a range of activities, attendees who are struggling with the condition are helped to stay mentally and physically active, and carers have a rare opportunity for some welcome respite and to speak to others in a similar position.
Vicky explained:
“It was lovely to see Mel and Lois take such an interest in the café and to discuss some potential funding opportunities. We have made a great start in the first couple of months and are really pleased with the number of people we are helping, but we will need more volunteers to help us keep going.”
Volunteers are needed for helping with refreshments, sitting and chatting with attendees, and getting involved with some of the activities. Training is provided.
Mel added:
“It was great to meet Vicky, Ian and Lynn and discuss the extraordinary work they are doing to help people in and around Okehampton with dementia, as well as providing much needed support for their carers. I would strongly urge anyone who is able to lend a hand, not even necessarily every week, to contact Vicky for a chat.”
For more information ring Vicky on 07933 663796 or email [email protected].
