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A big crowd saw the launch of Woodvale’s first Memory Café yesterday at Boulevard Café and Tearooms in Woodvale. Members of the community on the dementia journey and their carers were joined by Jessica Stojkovski MLA, James Pearson, CEO of the City of Joondalup, Cr John Chester, John Logan, former Deputy Mayor of the City of Joondalup, Professor Warren Harding, AM, Alzheimer’s WA Chairman, and Ella Dachs, Alzheimer’s WA CEO.
Participants and their carers were treated to fun, engaging activities, great coffee or tea, with plenty of opportunities to talk to each other in a safe and welcoming environment.
Julie Pettitt, café owner, has seen firsthand the impact of dementia in the local community, “We’ve been in the café now for over 13 years, we have witnessed a lot of our regular customers travel down this (dementia) road and it’s great to see now this support with Alzheimer’s WA. We can provide this cozy and comfortable place where hopefully people can still come, with their carers or family and enjoy a cuppa and a chat and make some new friends along the way.”
James Pearson, CEO of the City of Joondalup, congratulated Julie and her team, “It’s great to see small business take the lead, partnering with an organisation like Alzheimer’s WA to deliver a really important service for the older members of our community.”
Cr John Chester thanked those caring for people living with dementia and invited them to seek out support and respite, “The wellbeing of carers is fundamentally important to the lives of the ones you love and care for and you need to take care of yourself.”
Alzheimer’s WA Chairman Prof. Warren Harding AM, thanked the staff of the café, asked the State Government to build on their support of the health system and spoke of the advancements in dementia detection research in Sweden and Australia using blood tests and eye testing; reminding the audience that while early detection is important, “what we know is that social engagement, good conversation and a great cup of coffee is probably what you need most.”
Café owner Julie is looking forward to welcoming the group each week, “It’s really important that people are still valued and cared for in the community and to foster that sense of belonging and I hope to be able to do that with my team.”
The Memory Cafe at Boulevard Café and Tearooms, Woodvale Boulevard Shopping Centre, Corner Whitfords Ave & Trappers Drive, runs weekly on Wednesday’s from 10am. For the full list of Memory Cafes, located right across Perth, click here
