Dementia can be one of the most isolating diseases and is fairly common in those over 60. If you’re living with dementia or caring for somebody with dementia, you may feel that your world has suddenly become much smaller. Normal things you loved to do together, such as shopping, eating out or going to the theatre might suddenly be too overwhelming.
On this page, Age Space has collated many of the dementia-friendly initiatives, activities and venues across Norfolk to help you and your relative to continue enjoying life.
We also recommend that you download Age Space’s free comprehensive Caring for Someone with Dementia Guide to help with some of the more practical aspects of dementia care.
Dementia and Memory Cafés in Norfolk
Dementia Cafés (often called Memory Cafés) are one of the main places for people with dementia and their carers to meet each other, take advantage of some free coffee or tea and biscuits and just chat about their experiences in a warm and friendly environment. Some Dementia Cafés will also put on fun social activities, often aimed at improving memory.
Carer's Matter Norfolk
Carers Matter Norfolk is a countywide service funded by Norfolk County Council and the NHS to provide support to unpaid carers. The service runs a number of Memory Cafés across Norfolk, as listed below:
Diss Dementia Café (The Dove)
- When? First Wednesday of the month, 10:00am - 1:00pm
- Where? Diss United Reformed Church, Mere Street, Diss, IP22 4AD
- Telephone: 01379 309062
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Hunstanton Dementia Café
- When? First Monday of the month, 10:30am - 12:30pm
- Where? Hunstanton Community Centre, Avenue Road, Hunstanton, PE36 5BW
- Telephone: 01553 768155
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
King's Lynn Dementia Café
- When? First Friday of every month, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
- Where? Methodist Church Rooms, London Road, Kings Lynn, PE30 5PU
- Telephone: 01553 768155
- Website
Norwich Dementia Café (Sunshine)
- When? First Thursday of the month
- Where? 24 Boundary Rd, Norwich, NR6 5HT
- Telephone: 01603 402703
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Sheringham Dementia Café
- When? First Thursday of the month, 11:00am - 1:30pm
- Where? St Joseph’s RC Church Hall, Cromer Road, Sheringham, NR26 8RT
- Telephone: 01263 519227
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Sprowston Dementia Café
- When? Third Thursday of the month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Where? Sprowston Diamond Centre, School Lane, Sprowston, Norwich, NR5 9AA
- Telephone: 01603 722756 & 07840 153481
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Swaffham Dementia Café
- When? First Wednesday of every month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Where? Swaffham Assembly Rooms, 13 Market Place, Swaffham, PE37 7AB
- Telephone: 01362 687316
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Thetford Dementia Café
- When? Fourth Thursday of the month, 10:30am - 12:30pm
- Where? Thetford Methodist Church, Tanner Street, Thetford, IP24 2BQ
- Telephone: 07724 175827
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Thorpe St. Andrew's Dementia Café
- When? Third Wednesday of the month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Where? Roxley Hall, 66 Yarmouth Road, Norwich, NR7 0QF
- Telephone: 01603 701048
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Other Dementia Cafés in Norfolk
Attleborough Day Centre
- When? Fridays, 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Where? Church St, Attleborough, NR17 2AH
- Telephone: 01953 454613
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Downham Dementia Café
- When? Third and fourth Monday of the month, 10:00am - 12:00pm // First and fourth Tuesday of the month, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
- Where? Methodist Church, Paradise Road, Downham Market, PE38 9JE
- Telephone: 07514 698126
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
North Walsham Memory Café
- When? Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00am - 3:00pm
- Where? Furze Hill Resource Centre, 73 Happisburgh Road, North Walsham, NR28 9HD
- Telephone: 01692 502708
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Reepham & District Sunshine Memory Café
- When? Second and fourth Thursday of the month, 10:00am
- Where? St. Michael's, Reepham, Norfolk, NR10 4JL
- Telephone: 01362 686860 & 01603 860253
- Email: [email protected] & [email protected]
- Website
Thorpe St. Andrew Dementia Support Group
- When? First and third Wednesday of the month, 10:30am - 12:30pm
- Where? Thorpe St. Andrew Town Council, Town Hall, Fitzmaurice Park, Thorpe St Andrew, NR7 0UL
- Telephone: 01603 701048
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Wayland Memory Café
- When? First and third Tuesday of the month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Where? Wayland House, High St, Watton, Norfolk, IP25 6AR
- Telephone: 01953 880204
- Contact Form
- Website
Dementia-Friendly Activity Groups in Norfolk
Creative Arts East: Our Day Out
The award-winning ‘Our Day Out’ is about engaging people in a high quality, fun, accessible, participatory arts workshop. The sessions are free to attend and give participants the chance to meet new people, get out and about, have a cuppa and try a new type of creative activity, which are all led by a professional artist. Past activities have included songwriting, drumming, contemporary dance, creative writing and mindful walks. ‘Our Day Out’ is suitable for carers and those with dementia, with no previous experience required.
Attleborough
- Where? Attleborough Methodist Church, London Road, Attleborough, NR17 2BX
- Telephone: 01953 713390
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Dereham
- Where? Dereham Trinity Methodist Church, 31 Trinity Close, Dereham, NR19 2EP
- Telephone: 01953 713390
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Hunstanton
- Where? Hunstanton Community Centre, Avenue Road, Hunstanton, PE36 5BW
- Telephone: 01953 713390
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Great Yarmouth
- Where? St. Georges Theatre, King Street, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2PG
- Telephone: 01953 713390
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Thetford
- Where? Thetford Methodist Church, Tanner Street, Thetford, IP24 2BQ
- Telephone: 01953 713390
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Watton
- Where? The Methodist Centre, 57 High Street, Watton, IP25 6AB
- Telephone: 01953 713390
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Wells-next-the-Sea
- Where? Wells WI Hall, Church Plain, NR23 1EQ, Wells-Next-The-Sea
- Telephone: 01953 713390
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Come Singing, Norwich
Come Singing is a small, voluntary organisation formed in 2012 by volunteers from around Norfolk with the aim of providing therapeutic singing sessions for people living with dementia and for their carers. The volunteers are experienced in this field and currently support monthly singing sessions in care homes, hospitals and in the community. Come Singing works with a group of organisations devoted to enhancing the lives of people living with dementia.
Tuesdays
- When? Second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 10:45am - 11:45am
- Where? The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, The Forum, Norwich
- Telephone: 01603 774774
Fridays
- When? Third Friday of the month, 11:15am - 12:15pm
- Where? Earlham Library, Colman Road, Norwich, NR4 7HG
- Telephone: 01603 454338
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Theatre Cares - A Life in Music, Norwich
Theatre Cares offer termly music workshop sessions for those with mild to moderate dementia at Norwich Theatre, in partnership with Musical Keys. These engaging workshops are participatory and designed to spark joy, curiosity and new friendships.uriosity and new friendships!
Research has proven that music improves the wellbeing of people living with dementia and can be a positive shared experience between loved ones. You will have the opportunity to explore music in all of its forms, from singing and songwriting, to getting hands-on with drums, chimes, stringed instruments and small percussion instruments.
Teas, coffees and pastries are also provided!
- When? Every other Thursday morning
- Where? Norwich Theatre Royal, Theatre Street, Norwich, NR2 1RL
- Cost: Autumn Term is £5 per couple; Spring Term is free!
- Telephone: 01603 630 000
- Visit Website
Dementia-Friendly Exercise Groups in Norfolk
It has been shown that light, regular physical exercise is great for both the body and mind! Find a dementia-specific exercise group in Norfolk below.
EPIC's Dementia Friendly Walks
For those living with dementia, getting regular exercise can be a real struggle. But recent studies, including research conducted by Active Norfolk and UEA, have shown that the positive effects of exercise on those living with the condition can be life-changing. EPIC have worked with Norfolk County Council to develop a variety of Dementia Friendly Walks (Easy Amblers) across the county. They can also set up a bespoke Dementia Friendly Walk in your local area.
Use the contact details below for more information on getting involved.
- Telephone: 07765 966500
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
EPIC Norfolk's Live Zoom Classes
- Telephone: 07765 966500
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Dementia-Friendly Entertainment in Norfolk
Norwich Theatre Royal & Playhouse Theatre: Accessible Performances
Norwich Theatre Royal and the Playhouse Theatre both regularly put on accessible performances, including those suitable for people with dementia. You can take a look at the Norwich Theatre website for more information and schedule details.
- Telephone: 01603 598 500
- Email: [email protected]
- Website
Cinema City, Norwich
The Picturehouse cinema, Cinema City, in Norwich puts on regular accessible screenings with many run with those with dementia in mind. You can take a look at the Norwich Theatre website for more information and schedule details.
- Telephone: 020 7326 2649
- Website
Local Dementia Action Alliances
A Local Dementia Action Alliance (LDAA) is a structure. It provides instructions on how to gather people together, how to have meetings, set terms of reference and so on. However, the action areas of each LDAA are different, chosen by the community as areas of focus. An LDAA is also one way of working to become a recognised dementia-friendly community via Alzheimer’s Society’s Recognition scheme.
There are several of these Alliances set up across Norfolk to help make the county a more accessible place for those with dementia. Visit the link to your local area’s DAA for more information on their partners and the schemes they’re working on.
Dementia-Friendly Suffolk & Cambridgeshire
For those living in the South or West of Norfolk, you might like to explore the dementia-friendly options in Suffolk or dementia-friendly options in Cambridgeshire, which include singing groups, dementia cafés and more!
