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Dementia cafe opens in Sealand

Published: 13/07/2016

The latest café to support people suffering from dementia and their carers has been officially opened in Sealand. The café, the brainchild of Councillor Christine Jones, Councillor David Wisinger and Flintshire Officer, Luke Pickering-Jones, has been made possible through the support and partnership working of a local community group, Flintshire Social Services, Wales & West Housing and the Tesco store at Broughton Shopping Park. The café, which will be open once a month, every 4th Monday, from 1-3pm was officially opened at St Andrew’s Community Hub in Garden City by Lord Barry Jones, President of the Flintshire Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Champion Wales who was accompanied by his wife, Lady Janet Jones. In his speech Lord Barry Jones gave thanks to all those involved and went on to say: “This is a real community team and you are all part of it. Congratulations to Flintshire County Council, the church and the community for enriching local lives. Councillor Christine Jones deserves great credit for her initiative. It is most imaginative and caring of her. This field of social services is so important and I am delighted to acknowledge Flintshire as the best county in Wales – the best led and the best organised.” Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor Christine Jones, said: “We have been able to organise this café very quickly – from conception to now has taken about 2 months. The community group, Dementia Friendly Sealand and Queensferry, has been marvellous as have our own officers from social services and Communities First. I’d like to thank Wales and West Housing who have donated the lovely crockery and tablecloths and also to Cllr Alex Lewis who is community champion for Tesco who have donated the drinks and cakes for this event and will continue to do so. “A special thank you must go all the wonderful volunteers – all the young mothers who make up the committee – they have been amazing and it would not have been possible to open our café as soon as we have without them. “I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage more volunteers and more people with dementia and their carers to come along to our café.” Dementia Cafés provide a safe, comfortable and supportive environment for people with dementia and their carers to socialise. As well offering a range of fun and engaging activities, Dementia Cafés give both carers and people with dementia a chance to get information and advice and talk to others with similar problems. Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive for Wales & West Housing, said: “With a successful dementia café at our extra care scheme at Llys Jasmine in Mold we are only too aware of the need for more to be established. We are delighted to have made a contribution and wish the team success.” Also present were pupils from the local Sealand Primary School who had designed the poster for the café. Lord Barry Jones presented the two winners with their prizes. For more information about the café, please contact Jo Rowan on 07341 828983. Left to right standing: Neil Ayling - FCC Chief Officer Social Services, Sharon Jones - Communities First Cluster Delivery Manager, Luke Pickering-Jones FCC Officer, Lord Barry Jones, Cllr Mike Walker - Chair of Sealand Community Council, Cllr Alex Lewis - Vice-Chair Sealand Community Council and Tesco Community Champion, Hayley Jones - Chair of Dementia Friendly Sealand & Queensferry (DFSQ), Jo Rowan - DFSQ, Rev. Steven Green - Vicar of St Andrews, Louise Bryant - Vice Chair DFSQ, Cllr David Wisinger, Anne Caloe, WWHA. Left to right seated: Lady Janet Jones, Jean Morgan, Charlie Ellis and Pauline Ellis