Will provide an opportunity for people with dementia to socialise more

A substantial grant means a Glasgow charity can launch a new drop-in café for people with dementia.

Award-winning Baillieston Community Care supports people to be independent  through its Care at Home and Dementia Short Break services.

However a £4,528 donation from The Barrack Charitable Trust has allowed the charity to set-up up the new monthlyh drop-in café in the east end of Glasgow for those with dementia and their carers.

David Reilly, CEO of Baillieston Community Care said: "The drop in café will provide an opportunity for people living with dementia and their carers to get out of their house, get back into the local community and meet other people thereby reducing the extreme isolation many are experiencing especially after covid and long periods of lockdown and restrictions.

"The monthly drop-in Dementia Café will be open to all individuals in the local and surrounding East End area living with Dementia and will be a free service.

"Activities such as music therapy, old-time cinema, sensory and reminiscence sessions, dominoes, jigsaws, bingo, card games, quizzes and musical sing-a-longs would be offered as well as afternoon tea.

"For cared for individuals activities which provide stimulation is proven to help keep the mind 'grounded' in reality and they will benefit by attending these relaxed drop-in Dementia Café sessions and carers will have the opportunity to meet other carers experiencing similar lifestyle circumstances giving them further opportunities to explore new ideas, coping mechanisms and share experiences as well as building their social network of support."

Founder and chairman of The Barrack Charitable Trust, James Barrack, added: "We are truly humbled by the work undertaken by all the charities and grateful that we are able to offer support.

"Baillieston Community Care is providing valuable and much-needed services in the East End of Glasgow and we are proud to support them."