Residents at Trevern Nursing Home in Falmouth have been enjoying activities and therapy at a new dementia cafe.

Set up by Sharon Bennion, the care home's activities coordinator, Falmouth Friends provides activities and outings for those suffering with various stages of dementia and their families.

Sharon said: "If we can do something to bring people together and people wouldn't feel so isolated in the community that would be brilliant. Come along, even if it's only for one hour or so." The cafe offers sensory activities, reminiscence techniques to help patients remember their younger days, arts and crafts, physical therapies and a range of different outings.

Sharon also wants to introduce animal therapy to help treat dementia sufferers' anxiety.

For Sharon, one of the most important aspects of the cafe is supporting the families and carers of sufferers.

She said: "The family members come along, it's hard for them too. They can have a chat with you and a cup of tea and realise there's ways around this they might not have thought of."

Falmouth Packet:

Haley (left) and Sharon (right)

With the help of Haley Blake, who works for Cornwall Care, Sharon successfully applied for funding for Falmouth Friends and received a £500 grant from the Cornwall Rural Community Organisation.

She is hoping to take some of the residents on outings to places such as The Flicka Foundation donkey sanctuary in Mabe.

Sharon said: "It's about helping the families. Even if it only helps a handful of people in the community, if it's somewhere for them to take their loves ones and enjoy a couple of hours of therapy and activities I think it would be really really good for us."

For more information on the cafes, which run from 3-4pm on Mondays and Thursdays, contact Sharon on 07826842179.