PEOPLE with dementia and their carers will be able to relax over a cuppa and gain much needed support with the launch of a new café

On September 17 Priory Court Care & Nursing Home in Burnham-on-Sea will open its doors to the public for a dementia cafe.

The care home has teamed up with Burnham and Highbridge Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) to start the cafe which is open to anyone in the community who lives with or is affected by dementia.

Steve Duncan, Customer Relations Manager at Priory Court Care & Nursing Home said:“Priory Court is honoured to be able to host the Dementia Café for Burnham on Sea for the Dementia Action Alliance and the residents of Burnham, Highbridge and surrounding areas.

"We have always prided ourselves on working closely with the community and this enables us to do our small part in what is a great project for individuals effected by dementia, their families and even the businesses in the area.

"There is the potential that Burnham on Sea to be considered a ‘Dementia Friendly Town’ which would obviously attract people into the town for shopping, holidays and to reside here.

"We look forward to hosting the Café to Priory Court and welcoming the local community to our home for a free hot drink, biscuits in a friendly atmosphere."

The care home's dining room will be transformed into a cafe which will be open from 10.30am until noon on the the third Tuesday of every month.

Debbie Matthews, who is in charge of the DAA group for Burnham and Highbridge said: "After taking a maternity break from the group, I have been keen for the last few months to get it reinstated, so when Steve Duncan approached me it seemed a perfect time to arrange an initial brainstorming session to see what we could do.

"I also involved our local village agent, Steve Ballinger, to create an action plan going forward that is structured and sees everyone involved working together to achieve a better outcome for people living with dementia and those who love and care for them in our community, and allow people to live well and independently with dementia for as long as possible”

The DAA is also looking to involve local businesses in the scheme that would be willing to support Burnham and Highbridge becoming a dementia aware resort.

This would involve free Dementia Friends awareness training for business owners and more community events and initiatives.

Steve Ballinger, CCS Village Agent for Burnham & Highbridge and a founder member of the local DAA Group, said:“I meet a lot of people with dementia in my role as an NHS-funded Village Agent. This is great initiative to support people with dementia and their carers.

"I look forward to seeing the café grow and flourish.

"I’m also to looking forward to working with the DAA Group on further initiatives to help make Burnham & Highbridge a dementia aware resort, something that I feel would be of great benefit to the community.”

If you would like to be involved with the DAA Group email Debbie at deborah@successfulstays.co.uk