Forget Me Not - memory café launches in Wrexham Salvation Army

A special café designed for people living with dementia and their families has launched at The Salvation Army’s church in Wrexham.

The monthly café, Forget Me Not, opened for the first time in June and will next run on 14th July. The local community donated memorabilia such as old photographs, books, and newspaper clippings.

Captain Sandy Davis, one of the church leaders at The Salvation Army in Wrexham, came up with the idea after attending some dementia friendly Church training in March. She said:

“After attending The Salvation Army dementia friendly training I felt God telling me that there were so many people in our community living with dementia who we could support specifically. 

“The first step was to become a dementia friendly church and recently we held our first dementia friendly service.  "Forget Me Not"  is part of our plan to do more for people in the community living with dementia. Creating a specific, monthly café, will help us make a real difference to the lives of people living with dementia and their families. 

Rachel, Wrexham's Community Coordinator says:

“The first session was wonderful.  It was great to see the connection and recognition when we shared the memorabilia. There was lots of chatter and laughter coming from the tables as people reminisced.”

Forget Me Not also aims to provide a place for carers and family members to talk and share their experiences. 

Mr Cross from Brymbo attended with his mother: “We’ve enjoyed coming to Forget Me Not very much. It was really well organised and The Salvation Army were extremely welcoming. There was a warm atmosphere and everyone was so attentive. Not to mention the beautiful cakes and afternoon tea.  We can’t wait for the next one in July.”

Rachel, added: “We’d like to encourage the community to continue to support us by donating local memorabilia as it made such a difference to the people who attended. And, we’d like people living with dementia and their carers or family to come to our next session.”

The Salvation Army in Wrexham runs a full programme of activities designed specifically to meet the needs of the local community. The church and charity continues to transform lives more than 150 years since it was founded.