There are over 16,000 people living with dementia in Surrey and this number is only going up. Looking after someone with dementia is difficult and can be incredible stressful, so it is really important that you seek out support to ensure that you never feel alone. For more information on diagnosis and living with dementia, you can download our free Age Space Dementia Guide.
Fortunately, there is a great network of dementia-friendly initiatives in Surrey to help those living with dementia to integrate more into their communities, as well as to support their carers. These initiatives are run by many different groups and charities.
This article will help you to navigate what Surrey has to offer those with dementia and their carers. Contact details are will also be provided to help you get involved.
If you are looking for care services, rather than activities, please visit our guide to Dementia Care Services in Surrey.
Dementia-Friendly Cafes in Surrey
Dementia Cafés provide a safe environment for people with dementia and their carers to relax and meet other people. Some groups provide memory-focused activities to stimulate cognition, as well as refreshments.
Alzheimer Cafe, Camberley
The Alzheimer Café in Camberley is an evening gathering with refreshments provided, where people affected by dementia can meet others and socialise. The cafe also provides free and informative dementia related literature.
- Where? Camberley Alzheimer Café, St. Martin’s Church, 231 Upper College Ride, Camberley, GU15 4HE
- When? 3rd Monday of the month, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
- Telephone: 01276 675266
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Dementia Café, Dorking Christian Centre
The Dementia Café at Dorking Christian Centre has an informal, drop-in setting and is run by an NHS care co-ordinator. It gives people the opportunity to meet others with dementia and carers to share advice, support and friendship.
- Where? Dorking Christian Centre, Dorking, RH4 1DW
- When? Last Friday of the month, 10:30am - 12:30pm
- Telephone: 01306 886830
- Visit Website
Sunflower Cafe, Farnham
The Sunflower Cafe is a weekly event for the community to come together to chat and take part in activities over a cup of tea and cake. This is a dementia friendly event and open to anyone whose life is affected by dementia.
- Where? Spire Cafe, Farnham, GU9 7QU
- Telephone: 01252 783426
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Sunflower Cafe, Guildford
The Sunflower Cafe is an informal support group for people living with dementia and their carers. The cafe offers conversation and activities in a friendly and supportive environment. It is run by the church with support from staff in the Right at Home care team.
- Where? Guildford United Reformed Church, 83 Portsmouth Road, GU2 4BS
- Telephone: 07419 332074
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Memory Cafe, Leatherhead
This monthly event is supported by Milner House Care Home. It offers a friendly space for people living with dementia, their partners and their carers to attend and enjoy tea, coffee and conversation at Leatherhead Library.
- Where? Leatherhead Library, The Mansion, 68 Church St, Leatherhead, KT22 8DP
- Telephone: 07580 624904
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Dementia Cafe, Reigate
The Dementia Cafe at St Marys Church is free of charge and provides an opportunity for chat, games, puzzles, reminiscence and craft. Refreshments are also provided.
- Where? St Mary's Church Centre, Chart Lane, Reigate, RH2 7RN
- Telephone: 01737 221100
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Forget-Me-Not Cafe, Woking
A safe place to socialise and learn more about dementia and local services whilst enjoying tea and cake!
- Where? Brockhill Retirement Home, 99 Clifton Way, Woking, GU21 3NE
- When? Fourth Wednesday of the month, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
- Telephone: 01483 488 222
- Visit Website
Dementia-Friendly Church Services in Surrey
If Church worship is an important part of your relative’s life, living with dementia does not have to inhibit this. There are several churches across Surrey with dementia-friendly measures in place to make services accessible. Such measures include training church leaders, specially adapted services and support groups. Being a member of a church also brings a community and can be supportive for your relative and you.
Busbridge and Hambledon Church, Goldaming
The Anglican Busbridge and Hambledon Church pride themselves on being an inclusive Christian community. One of their main aims is to specialise in support for those living with dementia and their families. The church are training leaders to involve those living with dementia in services.
- Busbridge Church Address: Busbridge Church, Brighton Road, GU7 1XA
- Hambledon Church Address: Hambledon Church, Church Lane, GU8 4DS
- Telephone: 01483 421267
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Church of the Good Shepherd, Pyrford
Based in Pyrford, near Woking, the Church of the Good Shepherd is a welcoming Anglican church. The church runs a dementia-friendly service (Down Memory Lane) at 2.30pm on the Fourth Thursday of every month. The service is 30 minutes long and consists of well loved hymns, familiar readings and prayers, followed by tea and cake. The service is a good opportunity for those living with dementia, and their families or carers to chat with old friends and meet new ones.
- Address: Church Of The Good Shepherd, Pyrford, Woking, GU22 8SP
- Telephone: 01932 346345
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
New Life Church, Woking
The charismatic Baptist church in Woking is a member of the Dementia Action Alliance. The church has Dementia-Friendly signage and a quiet room, which can be used as a safe haven if someone living with dementia feels overwhelmed. The New Life Church is very actively involved in the local community and always welcomes new members.
- Address: New Life Church, High Street, Old Woking, GU22 9BX
- Telephone: 01483 725660
- Contact Form
- Visit Website
St. Peter's Church, Ash
St Peter’s Church in Ash is part of the Ash Parish Dementia Action Alliance. The Ash Parish is an area of Surrey with an older population on average, so the Alliance work to mitigate the risk of older people and those with dementia becoming socially isolated within the local community. St Peter’s is contributing to this work by making services more accessible for those living with dementia.
- Address: St Peter's Centre, Ash Church Road, Ash, GU12 6LU
- Telephone: 01252 331161
- Visit Website
Exercise Groups in Surrey for People with Dementia
Low impact exercise can be beneficial for physical and mental health, improving the quality of life for people in all stages of dementia. Age Space has compiled a varied list of exercise opportunities for those with dementia in Surrey.
Patchwork Gardening Project, Dorking
The Patchworking Garden Project, first established in 2014, aims to bring change to people’s lives through gardening and friendship. The project especially welcomes those living with a learning condition; many who enjoy the group have dementia.
The group operates in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty. Gardening and being at one with nature has many benefits for those living with dementia; it can help people feel more relaxed and connected. You can refer your relative using the contact details below, if you think they would enjoy being part of the project.
- Address: The Garden (formerly Friends Life), Sports Ground, Pixham Lane, Dorking, RH4 1QA
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Inclusive Cricket, Farnham
Inclusive Cricket sessions are suitable for all abilities and levels of mobility. They welcome anyone over the age of 50 and are suitable for any mental or physical disabilities, including those with dementia.
- Where? Farnham Leisure Centre, Dogflud Way, Farnham, GU9 7UD
- When? Every Wednesday, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
- Telephone: 01483 662400
- Visit Website
Dementia Swimming Sessions, Woking
Swimming has many proven benefits for those with dementia: reducing anxiety, improving mood and enhancing psychological well being. Each session in Woking is led by a qualified Swimming Teacher and caters for all abilities.
Carers are not necessarily required to go in the water. Please use the contact details below so that the leisure centre can support those wishing to attend sessions.
- Where? Pool in the Park, Kingfield Road, Woking, GU22 9BA
- Telephone: 01483 771 122
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Dementia-Friendly Tennis Sessions, Epsom
A modified tennis session that is designed for people with dementia using soft balls and light, short tennis racquets. A gentle tennis-related warm up is followed by stretches and rally-based games played at a relaxed pace. Those attending must be a member of the Epsom and Ewell Community and Wellbeing Centre. This costs a small annual fee but opens the door to other activities at the centre and people are welcome to try a tennis session first before joining.
- Where? Epsom and Ewell Community and Wellbeing Centre, Sefton Rd, KT19 9HG
- When? Every Monday, 2.15pm - 3.15pm
- Telephone: 01372 720563
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Entertainment in Surrey for People with Dementia
Living with dementia should not stop your relative from accessing the entertainment and culture that they used to enjoy. Here, Age Space has compiled dementia-friendly entertainment options across Surrey, from film to music to singing.
Dementia-Friendly Cinema
Dementia-friendly screenings make cinema more accessible to those living with dementia, their families and carers. They aim to be a fun and inclusive experience so that people living with dementia can enjoy films in a comfortable environment.
Nova Cinema, Woking
Nova Cinema offer ‘Relaxed Screenings’ that provide a cinema experience suited to those living with dementia. By working with CareUK, they ensure that these screenings meet the needs of their guests. There are no ads, a lower volume, the lights are left on and audience members are able to talk or move around freely.
- Address: Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6GQ
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Dorking Halls: Dementia-Friendly Screenings
Dorking Halls offer Dementia Friendly Screenings of films that are in an environment designed especially for people with dementia and their families, friends and carers. This means there are no adverts or trailers, the room is brighter than usual, the volume is reduced and people are free to get up during the film if they wish to.
- Address: Dorking Halls, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SG
- Telephone: 01306 881717
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
The Light Cinema Dementia-Friendly Screenings, Addlestone
At The Light’s Dementia-Friendly Screenings, there are no adverts or trailers and the lighting is raised throughout the film.
- Address: The Light Cinema, Addlestone, KT15 2GN
- Contact Form
- Visit Website
Music Groups for People with Dementia
Music is very powerful in unlocking memories and is an increasingly recommended element to dementia care. There a number of dementia-friendly music groups across Surrey that we have listed below. You can use the details provided to find out more information on each group.
Musical Memories, Banstead
Musical Memories is a weekly service for people with memory impairment and their carers. The group is led by a professional musician.
- Address: Banstead Community Centre, Civic Centre, The Horseshoe, Banstead, SM7 2BQ
- When? Thursday afternoons
- Telephone: 01737 352156
- Visit Website
Music Memories, Lingfield
Music Memories is designed for people with dementia and their carers, you can be sure of a warm welcome, plenty of singing and a good cup of tea!
- Address: Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre, High Street, RH7 6AB
- Alternate Mondays, 10.30am - 12:00pm
- Telephone: 07872 506709 or 01737 529793
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
- Visit Website
Musical Memories, Limpsfield
Musical Memories is a group that aims to reconnect those in later life with music they have loved through singing and sharing memories. The group meets on the last Wednesday of the month in the church Millennium Room from 11am. It is designed for anyone who enjoys singing, including those with dementia and their carers. You can be sure of a warm welcome, plenty of singing and a good cup of tea! Transport can be arranged for those who need a lift. £1 per person. Refreshments provided.
- Millennium Room, St Peter's Parish Church, RH8 0DG
- When? Last Wednesday of the month, 11:00am
- Telephone: 01883 712512
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Dementia-Friendly Art Clubs in Surrey
Art has been proven to help people with dementia to share their thoughts, emotions and memories through painting, drawing and other creative methods. Art Clubs are also a great way to meet other people living with dementia and form friendships.
Conquest Art Group
Conquest Art Groups aim to help people who live with a disability or long term illness to find fulfilment through art. The groups are open to all, whatever their ability or disability, and have proved particularly popular amongst those with dementia.
The group sessions cost a small fee and all art materials are provided. Conquest Art Group run 8 groups across Surrey. Please find your local group below, their alongside contact details, to get involved:
Ashstead
- When? Alternate Tuesdays, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
- Address: St. Michael's Catholic Church, The Marld, KT21 1RS
- Telephone: 07808 958726
- Visit Website
Ewell
- When? Every Monday, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
- Address: Christ Church Ewell, Cheam Road, KT17 1AD
- Telephone: 07500 339 168
- Visit Website
Epsom
- When? Every Tuesday, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
- Address: Epsom Methodist Church, Ashely Road, KT18 5AQ
- Telephone: 01372 723966
- Visit Website
Guildford
- When? Alternate Wednesdays, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
- Address: St. Catherine's Village Hall, Chestnut Avenue, GU2 4HF
- Telephone: 07790 893 622
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Godalming
- When? Every Thursday, 10.30am - 12.30pm
- Address: United Reformed Church, 1 Bridge Street, GU7 3DU
- Telephone: 01483 414778
- Visit Website
Reigate Park
- When? Every Wednesday, 10:00am - 13:00pm (during school term only)
- Address: Reigate Park Church, Park Lane East, RH2 8BD
- Telephone: 01737 233923
- Visit Website
Stoneleigh
- When? Every Monday, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
- Address: Stoneleigh Methodist Church, Stoneleigh Crescent, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 0RT
- Telephone: 020 8393 4116
- Visit Website
Woking
- When? Alternate Tuesdays, 2:00pm- 4:00pm
- Address: Woking United Reformed Church, White Rose Lane, GU22 7HA
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Mobility Specialists in Surrey
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