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. MNN is also working with Medway Adult Education to provide neuro-cafes in Medway, associated with MAE courses such as Drumming and Tai Chi. To this end MNN has helped launch or promote 8 Neuro-cafes to provide your regular dose of coffee and companionship.

NEW 'Place of Welcome' NEURO-CAFE to start at ST. AUGUSTINES'S CHURCH, 192, Rock Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5PW on 25 March 2020 and then on the 4th Wednesday of each month. More details to follow.

Information Stalls

Please click on the image to the left to see a video of the general scene at the launch: stall holders and the band in a room adjacent to Jaspers cafe. We would like to thank the stall holders for supporting this launch and help make it a success.

5 in the Bar: You Don't Know Me

Led by Tony Ellingham, aka Dorian Gray, this band serenaded us with this song, made famous by Eddy Arnold. This splendid band had a CD of their work for sale in aid of Parkinson's UK and Prostate cancer.

5 in the Bar: Can't Take My Eyes Off of You

The band closed their act with this song. Many thanks to Tony and the 5 in the Bar band for supporting the Launch of Jaspers Neuro-cafe.

Medway Neurological Network would like to thank Medway Adult Education, notably Dan Mace (Programme Manager for Community Learning) and Lara Dix (Programme Coordinator), for their help in setting-up Jaspers Neuro-cafe.

We are very grateful to Jaspers Community Cafe for offering to host the neuro-cafe.

The launch was covered by the Kent Messenger and was published in the 23 January edition, click HERE to see the article.

Jaspers Neuro-Cafe Launch
17 January 2020

Opened by the Mayor of Medway Cllr. Habib Tejan. Click on image below to see video.

1. Jasper's Neuro-Cafes, at Jasper's Community Cafe, Rochester Community Hub, Eastgate, Rochester ME1 1EW - (Term-time only).

Next Jasper's Neuro-Cafe: Friday 28 February, hosted by FND Action (Functional Neurological Disorder).
Note: No Cafe on 21 February.

Jaspers will be open on:

a. Fridays 1pm to 3pm, associated with optional Medway Adult Education Tai Chi course, 10.30 to 12.30pm.

Each week of the month will be hosted by a different neurological charity, displaying condition-specific information, but people with any condition are welcome every week. The rota is:
1st Friday: Parkinson's UK/ Ataxia UK
2nd Friday: Motor Neurone Disease Association
3rd Friday: Dystonia Society
4th Friday: Functional Neurological Disorder - FND Action
Months with a 5th Friday will be hosted by Medway Neurological Network - all conditions.

b. Tuesdays, 11am to 1pm, 'Drumming for the Mind' class with the option to meet-up afterwards in Jaspers for refreshments.

These classes at Medway Adult Education, Rochester Community Hub are FREE for the Autumn term.

Please call 01634 338400 for more details.

2. Hoo Parkinson's Cafe & Neuro Drop-In, Taggs Coffee Shop

Next open on: Wednesday 4 March 2020, 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.

3. Companion Neuro-Cafe, Lower Stoke

Next Companion Cafe Drop-In: 27 February 2020, 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.

4. Brainstormz Neuro-Cafe

This neuro-cafe is delivered by Walderslade Together in association with Medway Neurological Network and hosted by FND Action. It is held at the Net Community Hub, 70 Silverweed Road, Walderslade ME5 0QX every Saturday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm.

For more information please visit: www.waldersladehub.org or phone: 01634 319633.

5. Cliffe Memory Cafe

Next open on: 13 March 2020, 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.

6. Rochester Dementia Memory Cafe

Next open on: 28 February 2020, 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Meets every 4th Friday of the month, 1.30pm to 3.30pm at The Parish Centre, St Peter's Church, Delce Road, Rochester, Kent ME1 2EH.
Please click
here
for the flyer

If you have dementia, are caring for someone with dementia or have someone within your family or community who has dementia - then come along to your local Memory Cafe. Come to meet others in a similar situation - have a cup of tea and a chat and share information and experiences. Friendly volunteers will be on hand to provide information and support and health care professionals make regular visit.

7. Grain Neuro-cafe

SORRY, CLOSED: We are in the process of re-organising this neuro-cafe and will let you know soonest when it is up and running again.

Meets every 3rd Friday of the month, 1pm to 3.30pm at the Hogarth Inn, 41-43 High Street, Isle of Grain, Rochester, Kent ME3 0BJ.

Note: At time of writing the future of the Hogarth Inn is uncertain and we may need to look for an alternative venue.

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.

Web design & editing: Martin Nagler

Last Update: 26 February 2020, MJN

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Medway Neurological Network