THE first meeting of the Memory Cafe at Crediton Station Tea Rooms – which will offer friendly support for those living with dementia and their carers – was a great success.

Dementia has been described as the "loneliest disease in the world", a frightening one for patients and carers alike.

Memory cafes offer opportunities for people whose lives are affected by the condition to meet, share experiences and gather information to help them and their families in a relaxed and informal setting.

Amongst the popular activities on offer on Tuesday were scrabble, dominoes and the iPad for various word games, together with chat and cakes, and tea and coffee.

Tea room proprietor and memory cafe organiser, Linda Brown, explained: "The 'buzz' was really thrilling.

"To see so many people enjoying themselves and talking to each other, was fabulous.

"The range of activities on offer will expand and develop according to what attendees want to do with their day."

Mrs Brown thanked Tesco for their donation of a sound system to help with playing music at sessions, Brian Shillingford of the Rotary Club of Crediton for their gift of a memory box filled with period items designed to stimulate memories and Barry Shears of Hillbrow Residential Care Home for his general support and giving board games.

She added: "I am also grateful to Ron Cuthbertson and Pauline Thomas, of the Crediton and District branch of Devon Senior Voice for all their support and David Light – author of the Dementia Carer's Pathway – for his advice on setting up the cafe.

"Upstream are providing a worker once a week to help with activities and I couldn't be doing this without all the other volunteers who have committed to help on a regular basis."

Charlotte Hoffman, Crediton Tesco deputy manager, said: "Crediton Tesco is proud to be able to help with such a important community project.

"With Alzheimers UK having been a past charity partner of ours we are very aware of the impact that dementia can have, the need for services such as this and the important role that they play for dementia sufferers and carers alike."

Andrew Drayton, the store's Community Champion, added: "It is always a pleasure to be able to react to a community request such as this. To be able to provide equipment that will be used to help Crediton's dementia sufferers through the Melodies & Memories singing and chair exercises; proven beneficial activities. I would encourage dementia sufferers and carer's to get along to the Memory Cafe, meet Linda and the team and sample the warm, friendly atmosphere there."

The memory cafe will be held every Tuesday from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Crediton Station Tea Rooms, Station Road, Crediton EX17 3BY.

All activities and refreshments are free, but donations are welcome.

For more information, contact 01363 777766 or email: [email protected]">[email protected] .

Alan Quick