Story & photo: Caroline Brockelbank
The Dementia Welcome Cafe is a cafe set up to help people with dementia to have a better quality of life.
The cafe at The Furnival, 199 Verdon Street has volunteers from many different countries who help to provide support for people with dementia.
One volunteer – 18 year old Sahra Deria, was born in England but her family are from Somalia. Sahra aspires to be a mental health nurse.
She said
“In Somalia, although some people understand about mental health and how it can be treated, they aren't the majority. There are only 22 mental health nurses in Somalia and two mental health charities that I'm aware of. For the people who don't understand, to them, it's a matter of ‘possession’ and ‘devilry’, so they lock the violent ones away so they can't hurt anyone, and use the Qur'aan to try and ‘cure’ the others. Many people are not familiar with medical or psychological treatments. To them, it’s a matter of ‘if you don't know, ignore it because you don't want to make it worse’. I want to go to Somalia and raise awareness
At the cafe people play board games, do craftwork, and take part in workshops. Most recently they had an improvised drama workshop. It was a lot of fun Sahra said
“Laughter is important. Making people laugh will help to improve their quality of life.”
Rihana Mohamed, another volunteer, used to be a nurse in the Yemen and has been in England for five months. She said she enjoys volunteering at the cafe and it helps her to improve her English.
Wednesdays 11am – 1pm, at The Furnival, 199 Verdon Street.
For more details call Nick Edmondson on 07725 569 380