A NEW dementia café is set to launch in Brierley Hill this week, with people affected by the disorder being invited to attend.

At 2pm on Monday (July 11), the new Alzheimer’s Society café, which gives dementia sufferers a safe environment to relax, meet others and share experiences over a cup of tea, will be unveiled at Nine Locks Community Centre.

The café will be available once a month providing a variety of activities designed to entertain and stimulate, including quizzes, visiting musicians and information providers talking on topics ranging from how to stay safe to healthy living.

Lee Allen, services manager for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “I am so pleased that we are opening this dementia café at Nine Locks.

“This location gives the people from the south of Dudley borough the chance to utilise a service in a relaxed environment with a cuppa providing them the opportunity of building friendships and gaining support.

“We are really excited about this new venture.”

A range of speakers will appear at the café opening, including a local musician and John Donovan, managing director of JJX Logistics, who will open the event.

Colin and Gina Busby, of Halesowen, volunteer around the Black Country, with Gina being a carer for her husband who has vascular dementia.

She said: “The reopening of Nine Locks Dementia cafe at Brierley Hill will be of tremendous benefit to dementia carers living in the Black Country.

“These cafes provide the opportunity to socialize and make friends with people living in similar circumstances, enabling us to exchange experiences and ideas which could make all the difference to solving any problems we may come up against.

“The support given by the dementia advisors and support workers who run the cafes is immeasurable as they have the means to give advice and signpost us in the right direction for specific information.

“Without this ‘safety net’ many carers would be left isolated and vulnerable. The wonderful work done by the Alzheimer’s Society is beyond measure and its far reaching strategy and open minded views for the future is to be applauded.”

In 2015 there were 3,432 people across the borough with dementia, which is estimate to rise to about 4,630 by 2021.

Elaine Spiteri, dementia café coordinator for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We are pleased to announce the launch of our new dementia café at the Nine Locks Community Centre.

“There are several cafes across Dudley which are aimed at reducing isolation, giving support and information to those who are newly diagnosed as having or in the early stages of dementia and their family or carers.

“We would warmly welcome anyone who feels they would benefit from these activities.”

For more information about the Alzheimer’s Society’s work in the Black Country, call 0121 521 3020 or email blackcountryoffice@alzheimers.org.uk.