Bournville Memory Cafe
Hosted by St. Francis Youth and Community Centre, Bournville Memory Café is primarily a group is for people living with Dementia and their carers, but all are welcome to attend. Running every Wednesday 12:30pm – 2:30pm during term time, this fun, friendly group run reminiscence workshops with our friends at Selly Manor Museum, Selly Manor | Welcome to Selly Manor https://www.facebook.com/share/178cTHgHdr/ and enjoy a range of craft and games.
On the 1st Wednesday of each month, Age UK join us for their Dementia carers group, providing time for carers to connect and share, as well as signposting them to support services when required. This has been such a positive space for carers, enabling much-appreciated respite while their loved ones enjoy Bournville Memory Café.
“My husband is newly diagnosed with Dementia, Bournville Memory Café has saved our life, it has given us a new life. My husband recognises where we are each week and recognises the other people there. I don’t feel odd bringing my husband here, everyone is the same and there is no judgement. I can relax, I can speak to other carers we cry, and laugh together.
“I bring my mum to Bournville Memory Café. She looks forward to it each week it helps her to relax and it steadies her mood for a few days afterwards.”
“Coming to Bournville Memory Café has shown me I can still enjoy my life with my wife. We have been married for 47 years, we now have a new life together this group gives me hope.”
The Alzheimer’s Society has extensive experience and expertise in overseeing memory cafes. You can find out more here: Dementia Café – information and advice for people in a relaxed setting | Alzheimer’s Society (alzheimers.org.uk)
Place of Welcome
A drop-in session where all are welcome and refreshments are free, Place of Welcome is every Thursday from 10:30am- 12:30pm.
A space to build new friendships, help to reduce loneliness, and feelings of isolation, Place of Welcome enjoys different activities such as knitting projects, dominoes, card games, cross words, and arts and crafts! On the 2nd Thursday of the month we have Beat it Percussion join us for their fun and therapeutic drumming workshop, followed by a calming relaxation session. And, on the last Thursday of the month we have our Seated Exercise session with Home Instead, ideal for helping with mobility, strength and cognitive memory. In addition to this, we also have charities and speakers from various organisations join us for helpful and informative workshops.
“I came to Place of Welcome feeling lonely and isolated, I leave every week with new friends, that are becoming family.”
“I live by myself and often don’t talk to anyone for days, by coming to Place of Welcome I have made new friends, and we now meet each other outside the group. Going to Place of Welcome has given me more confidence to speak to people. I sometimes help serve drinks and this helps me to feel valued that I am apart of the group and I can contribute.”
“My husband died during the Covid – 19 pandemic, which left me very lonely. I came across Place of welcome by accident, and now it is a part of my week, I like to talk to people and meet people, it gives me a reason to go out of the house.”
“Evenings are the hardest time of day for me, the knitting projects have given me something to do and helped take my focus off myself and think of other people.”
You can find out more about Place of Welcome here. Places of Welcome
Digikick
In 2024, we had the pleasure of partnering with the brilliant Digikick, offering a 12-week beginners computers course. These interactive sessions for beginners took our participants on an internet journey of discovery, covering topics including looking at how to switch on a device, Internet safety, online shopping and much more. It was wonderful to see so many people within our community gain digital confidence throughout these fun, accessible sessions!
“Before coming to DigiKick, I struggled, often feeling like an idiot and that I had fell off life’s bus due to the lack of knowledge around computers and the internet. I couldn’t get rid of the frustration as I just felt like I was left behind looking out the window at everybody else. It’s a relief being somewhere where the whole group have a lot in common and have equally struggled. The way Digikick present the course settles me down and that feeling I was in the right place was from the word go! I can now feel part of this age again and have conversations about QR codes and more, which I would usually see as jargon.”
You can find out more about Digikick here. DigiKick – Home
Sound Relaxation
We know that there are many pressures in everyday life and sometimes we all need time for space, relaxation and reflection.
That is why we have partnered with Beat it Percussion, offering free or small donation Sound Relaxation sessions. These gorgeous sessions provided quality ‘me’ time, helping to reduce stress, and improve general wellbeing in a calm and supportive environment.
You can find out more about Beat it Percussion here: People — Beat It Percussion
“I felt my body relax, and lowered my stress levels.”
“Beautiful sounds loved the vibrations of the gongs.”
“A way to feel peace in my body.”
“It is really nice to hear pings and tings that aren’t related to digital devices, exceeded my expectations.”
“I suffer with high blood pressure, during these sessions my fit watch showed my heart rate had dropped.”