Medway Neuro-Cafes
Medway Neurological Network (MNN) has joined the Peninsula Opportunites Group and the wHoo Cares Project in initiatives to reduce isolation, initially on the Hoo Peninsula. To this end MNN has helped launch or promote 4 Neuro-cafes. MNN had a float promoting the Neuro-cafes at the Grain Carnival and Medway Skylarks were travelling minstrels at the fete, see below.
Grain Village Carnival & Fete, 21 July 2018
To the right you can see the Medway Neurological Network float, promoting the Hoo Peninsula Neuro-cafes, as it arrived at the Grain Fete. Representative from each of the 4 cafes helped decorate the float and then ride through Grain, singing the Medway Neuro-Cafe song at the top of their voices.
Many thanks indeed to the Swain Group for providing the lorry, along with driver Lee.
Medway Skylarks, wandering minstrels at the Grain Fete.
After the carnival the somewhat hoarse songsters aboard the float joined the rest of Medway Skylarks to form a band of wandering minstrels at the Fete. To the left you can see a video of us singing 'Oh, What a Beautiful Morning'. It was in fact an extremely hot afternoon!!
See under the Skylarks tab a practice performance of the Neuro-Cafe song, that was especially written for this event.
Many thanks indeed to Trish Vella-Burrows for leading the choir and John Cornwall for accompanying on guitar.
1. Grain Neuro-cafe
Next open on: Friday 28 September 2018, 1pm
Meets every 4th Friday of the month, 1pm to 3.30pm at the Beach Hut Cafe, 2 Willow Place, High Street, Isle of Grain, Rochester, Kent ME3 0BS.
Note: From January 2019, Grain Neuro-cafe will change to meet on the THIRD Friday of the month, starting 18 January 2019.
Join Ian and friends for a cuppa and perhaps a bite to eat. Afterwards, if the weather is fine, you might fancy a stroll along the beach path.
To the right you can see the aptly named Beach Hut Cafe, which is a short stroll from the beach.
2. Companion Neuro-Cafe, Lower Stoke
Next Companion Cafe Drop-In: 27 September 2018, 10am
Is open to people affected by any neurological condition, including their carers, family and friends. This neuro-cafe is held on the 4th Thursday of each month, from 10am to 1pm, at the Peninsula Methodist Church, Lower Stoke, Allhallows Road, Rochester, Kent ME3 9SL.
Information about neurological conditions and the support available in Medway is available. There is also the option of having a go at some craft activity, see below.
You are most welcome to join us!!
Companion Cafe Craft Group
You also have the option of joining a craft group activity whilst visiting the Companion cafe. We are planning a POPPY MAKING activity in August & through September, hopefully outside in the park, if the weather allows.
3. Hoo Parkinson's Cafe & Neuro Drop-In, Taggs Coffee Shop
Next open on: Wednesday 3 October 2018, 10am
Meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month, from 10am to Noon. Find Taggs at 25 Church St., Hoo, Rochester, Kent ME3 9AH. You are most welcome to join us at these cafes and if you require any further information please Email: info@medwayneuro.org.uk.
This cafe is run by Parkinson's UK Medway Working Age Group (PUK WAG). Here is an invitation from organisers George & Stuart:
The object of these meetings is to enable people living with Parkinson's, or other neurological condition, and their Carers, to keep in contact with one another and not to feel isolated. This is a a very informal get together where people sit and chat and have a laugh over a coffee. We sometimes finish with an impomptu sing-song by some members and friends of the Medway Skylarks, a Choir formed to help people with neurological conditions manage throat, breathing, speech and coordination problems. If you have Parkinson's, or any other neurological condition, or you know someone who does, why not come along to our next meeting of the of the Hoo Neuro-cafe at Taggs Coffe Shop on 1 August, 10.30am - 12.30pm.
Cliffe Memory Cafe
Next open on: 12 October 2018, 1.30pm
Open on the second Friday of the month from 1.30 to 3.30pm at St Helen's House (next to St Helen's Church), Buttway Lane, Cliffe, Kent ME3 7QP.
Organised by St Helen's Fellowship in the Community, this cafe welcomes all affected by memory problems & their carers, family or friends. Janet says, "Join us for an afternoon break with cake - its free"!! For more information please see the poster HERE, or contact info@medwayneuro.org.uk.
If you are interested in attending this free event, but you don't have transport, or you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Rev. Andy Hobb on 01634 221 489.