Devon Memory Café Consortium benefits from Teignbridge Chairman’s Charity

A cheque for £700 has been presented to the Devon Memory Café Consortium (DMCC) by Teignbridge District Council’s former Chairman, Councillor Timothy Golder.

Continuing an annual tradition passed on by each Teignbridge Chairman, money raised by the Chairman’s Charity has come from various events, including a raffle at Teignbridge’s Sports and Community Awards which raised £411 and Teignbridge’s civic service held earlier this year at St John’s Church in Bishopsteignton.

Memory Cafes offer practical and emotional support, information, guidance and the offer of friendship to people living with dementia and their carers in the local community where they live. The DMCC has been set up as a membership organisation to represent their best interests, whilst ensuring each individual memory café retains its total independence.

The money raised from the Chairman’s Charity will help fund volunteers from Bishopsteignton, Newton Abbot and Teignmouth Memory Cafes to attend a 2-day Maria Montessori Dementia and Ageing workshop. This training focuses on enhancing the quality of life for people living with dementia by creating an environment in which they can succeed.

At Teignbridge’s Annual Council last month Cllr Avril Kerswell was elected as Teignbridge’s new Chairman and has chosen The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust and Moorland Community Care as her charities.

Teignbridge District Council’s former Chairman, Councillor Timothy Golder, said: “It has been an honour to serve as Teignbridge’s Chairman and to continue the proud tradition of raising vital funds for the Chairman’s Charity. 

“When I became Chairman I was keen to choose a local charity that would benefit from money raised in Teignbridge. In deciding on the Devon Memory Café Consortium, and having spoken to their passionate team, I know that this money raised will help volunteers attend the Maria Montessori Dementia and Ageing workshop. I hope that we can also raise the profile of this important charity which plays such a vital role in supporting our local community.

“I would like to thank everyone for their generous donations during my time as Chairman as you have all helped to make a difference.”

David Light, Trustee from the Devon Memory Café Consortium, said: “We are delighted that Teignbridge’s Chairman, Cllr Timothy Golder, chose the DMCC for his charity and would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this generous amount raised.

“At its heart our charity is supporting people living with dementia and those who care for them through the Devon Memory Café network. This money will make such a difference, particularly as it will help set up the Montessori project. We aim to distribute these generous funds to reach as many people affected by dementia as possible, by funding volunteers to attend the Maria Montessori Dementia and Ageing workshop.

“If you would like to find out more about the Maria Montessori "Dementia & Ageing Workshop" programme, please visit www.mariamontessori.org/training/what-we-offer/dementia/ or get in touch with us at www.dmcc.org.uk “