Dementia friendly cafe opens in Barnard Castle

A WARM welcome in a safe environment awaits visitors to a new dementia friendly cafe in Barnard Castle.
The get-together takes place at No 8 The Bank between 2pm and 3pm fortnightly on Fridays.
It has been organised by the Alzheimer’s Society and cafe manager Sarah Howe, who said she thought it was a fantastic idea.
Nicky Tulloch, dementia advisor for the Alzheimer’s Society, said Ms Howe and all her staff had undergone training to become dementia friends to give them a better understanding of how people living with the condition may behave and the issues they are dealing with.
The cafe runs on alternate Fridays to the Singing for the Brain sessions, which the Alzheimer’s Society holds at the Methodist church hall, and emphasises Barnard Castle’s place as one of the Dementia Action Alliance’s Dementia Friendly Communities. Ms Tulloch urged those living with dementia and their carers to pop along to the cafe.
“Don’t be scared to come through the door – making the first step is always the hardest,” she said.
“Just come along and try it. Everyone is very friendly and I will always be here to offer any kind of advice and information.”
The next dementia cafe get-together will be on Friday, February 3.
For more information, contact Ms Tulloch on 07484 040630.