A CARE home’s new cafe, which will be used to support people with dementia, has officially opened.

The opening of the Cotswold Cafe at Willow Bank residential home was attended by 35 people, including relatives of care home residents and social workers, who watched the mayor and mayoress of Pershore, Councillor Chris Parsons MBE and Mrs Jan Parsons, cut the ribbon.

The new space at the Tilesford Park care home in Pershore has a 50s style interior, and encourages reminiscence for the residents of Willow Bank and any guests from the local community.

The space will also be the venue for a new initiative, the Dementia Cafe, which will be a place designed to offer specialists in dementia training, and somewhere people with dementia and carers can meet others in a similar situation.

The free dementia cafe event is supported by the Alzheimer’s Society and open to both residents and non residents, and their families.

The cafe will run on the second Wednesday of every month, so the next event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 13.

Manager Carole Hall said: “The event was a huge success and the mayor had some very kind words about Willow Bank.

"We look forward to hosting the next event.”

Dawn Foods in Evesham donated cakes for the occasion and the firm is to continue donating cakes for every Dementia Cafe event. Anyone interested in attending a dementia cafe event can register their interest by calling 01386 556844, or email willowbank@bucklandcare.co.uk.

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