Caffi Croeso

My husband Mike and I are the sole members and founders of 'Living with Dementia' Society. We started the Society two years ago when we were delighted to put on a Talk at the Clarence Hall for Chris and Jayne Roberts. You probably know all about Chris and Jayne as they are everywhere on the internet. Chris was diagnosed with early onset dementia, must be 7 years ago now. Tim Jones our local cameraman for the BBC worked on the documentary of the Robert's family over a period of 18 months. BBC Panorama Living with Dementia. He introduced us to them.

The event was to encourage residents, businesses etc to make Crickhowell a Dementia Friendly Town. The event was so successful, informatively and financially that we decided to continue with the Society.

Since then we have donated money to The Alzheimer's Society, Alzheimer's Research UK, Dreams and Wishes for terminally ill Children. This year we will be making donations to the AS, AR UK and Dementia UK.

We also organise, along with Sally Rees (the Deacon of St. Edmund s) Caffi Croeso. Living with Dementia fund the café. It is a Social café, dementia friendly that takes place at the Parish Hall, 4 Church Lane, Crickhowell every 3rd Tuesday of the month. We are very fortunate to have a fantastic team of volunteers, from the church and friends. The businesses have been very generous with the café and most months donate cakes/scones etc to the café. We had all our tea/coffee/sugar donated by Asda Bryn Mawr and have received vouchers from three Morrisons, Waitrose and Tescos. The cafe mostly employ semi professional each month. Christmas Time was fantastic our local bakers and butchers provided all the food. Elvis (Darren Graceland Jones) was fantastic. Michelle and Darryl who runs Brownies and Brunch sent their Uncle and Aunt along. The Uncle was dressed as father Christmas and the Aunt was dressed as an elf. Christmas presents were given to everyone one including volunteers.

Everything is free to all except £1.00 a book of bingo tickets. Prizes are bought by Living with Dementia.