Set up in 2014, the Wyvern Theatre’s Memory Café offers a relaxed monthly get-together for those living with Dementia and their carers, friends and family. Supported by Swindon Dementia Action Alliance, Zurich Community Trust and sponsored by Home Instead; the service is completely free.

Memory Café is always very well attended, with on average 40 – 50 people per session and new additions each time. Activities vary and have included quizzes, therapy pets, cheese-tasting and music and movement, as well as the extra special Christmas sessions known for their festive fun (and food!).

In February, the café ran a Poetry Cares session with Wiltshire poet Matthew Tett and Heather Holcroft-Pinn from Literature Works. Matthew read a series of well-known and loved poems and then assisted the group to share memories based on “There was a time when……”

In March, attendees were joined by Renegade and Caspar the alpacas from Lane House Alpaca Farm (see above!) It is well documented that holding and stroking animals can reduce blood pressure, lower pulse rates and alleviate feelings of tension. The alpacas were so calm, gentle and intuitive; and they offered attention and unconditional acceptance. They didn’t overwhelm the Memory Café visitors and were ideal for working with people who find themselves confused or anxious due to dementia – and they brought a great deal of fun and laughter.

The next Memory Cafés include a Platinum Jubilee reminiscence and craft session with local artists from Artsite, Swindon, and Marshfield Farm Ice Cream are going to run an ice cream tasting session.

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN
A collaborative poem written as part of Literature Works’ Poetry Cares project. Swindon Memory Café: 7 February 2022

There was a time when we didn’t have to wear masks – What a relief it was.
There was a time when a man walked in front of a car with a red flag, when I was good-looking and wealthy – then I woke up.

There was a time when I was sitting in a nettle patch after picking blackberries, when I liked you.

There was a time when you had to find a working phone box to call somebody.
When people said ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.
When I was skinny.

There was a time when wine and cheese was actually a party.
When gravity was not as strong as it is today.

There was a time when I was a Butlin’s Red Coat for the day.
When I cared what people thought, when we could say what we wanted, when I thought that life was hard but now I know that it really is.

There was a time when working from home was acceptable – in pyjamas.
There was a time when we had applause.
When thirty seemed old.
When nobody had run the sub-four-minute mile.
When you could play childhood games in the road.

There was a time when you couldn’t carry a computer in your pocket – and ‘no screen time’ meant ‘no TV’.
When there was only one television channel, from five o’clock ‘til shut down at 10.00pm.

There was a time when if you were a good boy on a Saturday morning, you were given sixpence to go the cinema,
When space travel was just a thing of fantasy.

There was a time when I used to go bluebell-picking in the woods, when fields existed.