Continuing their work with hard to reach and seldom heard of groups, Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard are to open an LGBT+ dementia café in early 2018.
With an £11,725 grant awarded by the Rainbow Fund, the Rainbow Café will be an exciting new initiative for LGBT+ people living with dementia or memory loss and their friends, families and carers.
This new project helps to show that LGBT Switchboard is more than just a helpline as the charity continues to diversify and aims to ensure that Switchboard is responsive, relevant and accessible for the present-day LGBT+ communities.
Switchboard’s CEO Daniel Cheesman, says: “Through the Rainbow Café, we aim to raise awareness of dementia within the LGBT+ communities and hope that both LGBT and non-LGBT services will have a better understanding of the specific and unique needs of LGBT people living with dementia. Our Older Person’s Project has highlighted the need for this service and we are thankful to the support that we have been given by the Rainbow Fund to get the service up and running”.
The Rainbow Café will be launched with an opening event on Thursday February 15 2018 at Brooke Mead (the new extra care housing accommodation to be opened by Brighton and Hove City Council) in Albion Street, Brighton from 11am to 2pm.
As part of this launch, the awarding winning play The Purple List: A Gay Dementia Venture, will be performed by Ian Baxter. This is a 35 minute one man performance exploring the highs and lows of the lives of the same sex couple, Sam and Derek’s who live with the reality of dementia. The performance will be followed by a Q&A session, a chance to hear about the Rainbow Café and a buffet lunch.
Daniel adds: “We welcome all to attend the launch event on February 15. Whether you are interested in attending the group, want to find out more or if you are interested in volunteering. The play is a powerful portrayal of the impact that dementia can have and in this scenario in a same sex relationship – I would encourage all to come and see it”.
To find about more about the Rainbow Café, whether you are interested in attending or volunteering or to book a place at the launch event email the Switchboard team at rainbow.cafe@switchboard.org.uk or call the Switchboard office on 01273 234009.
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