Dementia Australia, Lifeview, and the Victorian Pride Centre have announced the launch of Memory Lane Café at the Victorian Pride Centre.
They say this innovative program will provide a safe and inclusive space for people from LGBTIQ+ communities living with dementia and their carers, by creating a pop-up café in which participants can socialise while enjoying refreshments and entertainment.
Research highlights the prevalence and impact of social isolation and stigma experienced by people living with dementia. The successful Memory Lane Café program led by Dementia Australia, which has been embraced across the country, is changing this narrative.
Dementia Australia National Patron Ita Buttrose AC OBE said for many people living with dementia, attending traditional social functions can be challenging.
“The new Memory Lane Café – Victorian Pride Centre will provide a welcoming, relaxing and fun venue for people living with dementia, and their carers, to meet, interact and foster meaningful connections within the community,” Butrose said.
“Creating safe and inclusive social environments is tremendously important for all people impacted by dementia.
“I congratulate Lifeview and Victorian Pride Centre for their recognition of the need for this Memory Lane Cafe and their invaluable support in making this initiative a reality.”
Dementia Advocate, Anne Tudor OAM, 2021 Victorian Senior of the Year said elders in our LGBTIQ+ community impacted by dementia will be delighted to hear we now have a magnificent, dedicated, safe, space for Memory Lane Cafes, run by Dementia Australia and generously supported by Lifeview and the Victorian Pride Centre.
“It will provide much comfort for members of our community, young and old, to know the Café will be supported by kindred spirits at our Pride Centre.”
“By establishing a Memory Lane Café at the Victorian Pride Centre, we recognise and highlight that there are members of our community both living with dementia or caring for someone with dementia,” said Justine Dalla Riva, CEO of Victorian Pride Centre.”
“As Australia’s first purpose-built centre for LGBTIQ+ people, we understand the power of creating spaces where people can share their lived experience and build connections in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
“We’re proud to collaborate with Dementia Australia and Lifeview on a project that addresses the barriers LGBTIQ+ individuals face when accessing mainstream spaces and bridges the gap of social isolation for those living with dementia in LGBTIQ+ communities.”
Lifeview CEO Samantha Jewell shared her enthusiasm for the initiative.
“Establishing a Memory Lane Café at the Pride Centre has long been a vision for us, especially as a Founding Major Partner of Pride Centre and Rainbow Tick accredited provider of residential aged care,” she said.
“We are excited to see this vision come to life, and we welcome people living with dementia and their support persons to join us on this journey.”
How to attend the Memory Lane Café – Victorian Pride Centre.
The Memory Lane Café – Victorian Pride Centre will commence in September. The event is free to attend, and bookings are essential. Call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or email vic.memorylanecafe@dementia.org.au to find out more or to register your interest in attending.
Source: Media Release. Image shows Justine Dalla Riva, CEO Victorian Pride Centre; Belinda Nixon, GM Service Operations Dementia Australia; Mithrani De Abrew Mahadeva, Dementia Advocate; Anne Tudor OAM, Dementia Advocate; Samantha Jewell, CEO Lifeview, Photo: Natalie Edge.
You can support our work by subscribing to our Patreon
or contributing to our GoFundMe campaign.
