LGBT+ Memory Lane Café open day this October
Dementia Australia
Australia’s Memory Lane Café for members of the LGBT+ community living with dementia, their families is throwing open its doors for a community open day Monday 26 October.
The Australia-first Café, which opened in 2024, has been operating out of the Victorian Pride Centre in Melbourne and offers LGBT+ individuals, allies, and their families, friends, and caregivers impacted by dementia an inclusive cafe environment for companionship and connection to vital dementia services.
The Open Day is a free event running from 1:15pm-3:45pm AEDT on Monday 26 October at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda. It will feature entertainment, light refreshments as well as the opportunity to come together, connect socialise and ask questions.
Dementia Australia Executive Director of Services, Advocacy and Research Dr Kaele Stokes said members of the LGBT+ community living with dementia have often experienced discrimination and been denied access to inclusive services.
“That is why this LGBT+ Memory Lane Café is so important as a safe space that offers connection,” Dr Stokes said.
"The Open Day is a chance for people to come and see what the Cafe is all about and to connect with community."
Lifeview CEO Samantha Jewell said the Café made a genuine difference in the lives of LGBTI+ people living with dementia, as well as their families and loved ones.
“As a proud Rainbow Tick provider of residential aged care, Lifeview is delighted to be delivering this important initiative in collaboration with Dementia Australia and the Victorian Pride Centre,” Ms Jewell said.
Victorian Pride Centre CEO Paul Horwell said the Open Day was a chance for people to come along, see the café and engage with community.
“Dementia doesn’t only affect the person diagnosed. It affects partners, chosen family and friends, and many of them have had to deal with services that didn’t see or acknowledge their relationships,” Mr Howell said.
Pride Café volunteer Mikael Wagner, whose sister lived with dementia, said the café was a place of much joy and happiness.
“Volunteering with people living with dementia has taught me that even when memories fade, the capacity to connect, laugh, dance, sing and feel love never disappears,” Mr Wagner said.
“I am reminded that everyone deserves to be heard, respected, and treated with dignity, no matter where they are on their journey. Volunteering here reminds me that the heart remembers when the mind may forget.”
The LGBT+ Memory Lane Café, Victorian Pride Centre is a collaborative initiative between Dementia Australia, Victorian Pride Centre and Lifeview Residential Care.
The café operates every six weeks with entertainment and light refreshments included. To register for the open day, visit https://events.humanitix.com/caring-out-loud-dementia-support-open-day, or for more information about the LGBT+ Memory Lane Café email [email protected]
For dementia information and support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline anytime on 1800 100 500 or visit dementia.org.au
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Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia, and the estimated 1.7 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
Media contacts: David Gear, 0435 515 221
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If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.