A BRIERLEY Hill dementia café had a special guest in attendance this week as Dudley South MP Mike Wood visited to hear about the lives of local people with the condition.

Operated by the Alzheimer’s Society, dementia cafés across the Black Country provide a safe, comfortable and supportive environment for people with dementia as well as for their carers to socialise.

As part of the afternoon at Brierley Hill’s Nine Locks, a number of activities were put on for people with dementia, including a raffle, a talk from Age UK Dudley about a partnership with Dudley Council and even a monologue from an attendee about the Battle of Hastings.

Mr Wood said: “It’s fantastic that the café is back up and running and it offers particularly vital support for people with dementia.

“There is a nice atmosphere here and a good range of activities for attendees. The people that come here are highly valued.”

Jane Round, dementia café coordinator, said: “I am very grateful for Mike’s attendance and I hope it was an interesting insight into what people with dementia live with on a day-to-day basis along with the great sense of community spirit here.”

Kingswinford residents Ray, 85, and Mavis James, 84, attend the café, and they said: “It’s a friendly group and it’s nice to see other people as [with dementia] you can think you are on your own.

“The café is very enjoyable and the biscuits are lovely.”

Guest speakers who also attended the café were Alan Preece from Dudley Council along with Karen Hancox and Sam Mullett from Age UK Dudley, who spoke about how the organisations are working together on dementia friendly activities.

Karen said: “We are trying to raise awareness for our dementia friendly activities such as our new Mindfulness Walks at Saltwells Nature Reserve.

“This offers a chance to get out and experience nature as well as a calming presence for people with dementia.”

The Nine Locks community centre café runs from 2pm until 4pm on the second Monday of each month.