A DARTMOUTH charity is offering more support to those suffering with memory problems. Dartmouth Caring is starting a new Creative Memory Cafe on the third Tuesday of every month. The group will work alongside the existing Memory Cafe and the Musical Memory Cafe. Dartmouth Caring’s Memory Cafes offer somewhere that people with dementia, their family members and carers can visit to support each other and share information. The cafes also aim to reduce the feeling of isolation often felt by people with memory problems and their families. One local resident said: ‘I attend Dartmouth Caring’s Memory Cafes with my husband who suffers from dementia. I think the charity provides a wonderful service with these groups. It is incredibly beneficial to meet other people in the same situation as us and swap stories. We can lean on each other and you no longer feel totally alone.’ The Creative Memory Cafe will focus on providing meaningful productive activities led by Dartmouth Caring’s Buffy Matheson with help from the charity’s trained volunteers. Each month the cafe will offer different creative projects for everyone to get involved with. Research has shown people with dementia can benefit enormously from engaging with such activities, and they often lead to an increase in ‘special moments’ of lucidity and interaction. Just as importantly, being creative can provide a space to laugh and have fun, and can deepen relationships between people with dementia and those caring for them. There are now about 84,000 people in the south west living with dementia and often all that is on offer is short-term support. Dartmouth Caring aims to offer support right from the diagnosis and continuing as the disease progresses. On average the charity supports 300 people in the local community at any one time. Alison Stocks, manager and co-ordinator of Dartmouth Caring, said: ‘Dartmouth has an ageing population so our Memory Cafes are an excellent service for the local residents of Dartmouth. ‘Our volunteers have created a wonderfully welcoming and friendly atmosphere with the other Memory Cafes and the groups make a huge difference to people’s lives, helping both sufferers and those who care for them. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helps us provide these services and making them such a success.’ If you know a family member or friend who would benefit from attending the Creative Memory Cafe or would like more information, call 01803 835384. Dartmouth Caring would also like to hear from anyone interested in becoming a volunteer to help run the Memory Cafes.