Bournemouth care home celebrates anniversary of dementia-friendly café

RMBI Care Co. Home Zetland Court, in Bournemouth, is celebrating the first anniversary of its dementia-friendly initiative, ZetCafe24. Launched a year ago, the café was created to offer a supportive and welcoming space for people living with dementia, their families and local care professionals.

Over the past 12 months, ZetCafe24 has become a vital community hub where guests can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, access advice from the Home’s Dementia Advisor and Frailty Team, and connect with others facing similar challenges.

Yvonne, daughter of a resident living at Zetland Court’s Dementia House, says: “ZetCafe24 is a welcoming place for residents, their families and friends; a place to meet and connect with others over a cuppa and cake, listen or sing along to the music.” Susan, whose husband used to live at the Home’s Dementia House, adds: “This café is a place where families meet up and friendships are made.”

Reflecting on the café’s success, Sue Wiffen, Deputy Home Manager for Dementia, says: “Personally, I feel the café has helped people come forward for support in a relaxed and friendly environment. Carers have met each other and realised they are not alone; it’s okay to talk and say you need some help.

“Dementia can be a very isolating condition for the person living with the disease and those caring for them, so it is great to feel we may have opened doors for people who may have felt very alone without ZetCafe24.”

Held monthly on the last Thursday of each month from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the café offers complimentary tea, coffee and cakes near Bournemouth’s famous beaches.

Zetland Court’s dementia-friendly approach extends beyond the café. Residents and visitors benefit from a wide range of activities designed to support wellbeing, including music therapy, reminiscence sessions using assistive technology, pet therapy visits and film afternoons. The Home’s extensive gardens also offer peaceful spaces for relaxation and social gatherings.

With around 850,000 people currently living with dementia in the UK according to Alzheimer’s Society — a figure expected to reach two million by 2050 — services like ZetCafe24 are more important than ever in helping to reduce isolation and promote community support. For more information about ZetCafe24, contact Zetland Court at 01202 769169 or email zetland@rmbi.care.

RMBI Care Co. Zetland Court, in Bournemouth, is run by RMBI Care Co., is part of the Masonic Charitable Foundation. For more information, please visit: http://www.rmbi.org.uk/

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