Seaton Memory Cafe has been coming up with new ideas to reach out to members this winter, as face-to-face meetings under still not permitted under COVID-19 rules.

The Memory Cafe, which helps those suffering with dementia and their families, carers and loved ones, has been unable to hold its monthly meetings since lockdown measures were first implemented. But volunteers have been keeping in touch with members and their families and friends via regular telephone calls.

Volunteers have missed seeing members face-to-face and have now come up with new ideas on how to reach out and ensure those suffering memory problems know they are not alone.

The team are currently putting together activity packs to safely hand deliver to members, each containing a a newsletters, quizzes, word search, suduko, a song to practise and other items to help improve the memory.

The aim of the activity packs is to maintain 'reality orientation', which is a programme designed to improve cognitive and psychomotor function in persons who are confused or disoriented. It is often employed in long-term facilities to help people focus on their immediate surroundings, and is most helpful for the person in early stages of dementia.

Other plans to reach out to Memory Cafe members over the winter is to deliver fish and chip lunches in November, and Christmas hampers in December.

Volunteers are now looking for donations of suitable items to fill the activity bags and hampers, such as large printed quiz books, CDs, poem, magazines, biscuits and small cakes.

You can get in touch to donate items by calling 07827 813 776, or for more information or to donate funds, visit the Seaton Memory Cafe website.