Southport BID feature by Stand Up For Southport
The team behind the new ‘Forget Me Not’ Dementia Café in Southport say they have been encouraged by the positive response to the opening today (Wednesday 3rd December 2025).
The café is situated at Southport YMCA on Hoghton Street in Southport town centre.
It aims to provide a warm welcome to people with dementia and to the family members and carers who look after them.
Jenny Bowles, Steve Haworth and Tom Haworth said:
“We would like to say a huge thank you for the support you have given, whether financial, in-kind, or through helping with publicity.
“Every contribution has made a real impact and enabled 16 people to enjoy today’s café in a warm, relaxed and supportive environment. We thought the cold weather might keep people away, but we were delighted to be proven wrong.
“Individuals living with dementia attended with family members, friends and carers, and it was wonderful to see everyone enjoying each other’s company.
“One 84-year-old guest even gave the café ‘10 out of 10’!
“We also saw meaningful connections forming: for example, two separate couples chose to move to the same table within minutes and were still chatting together more than an hour later.
“What felt especially encouraging was that all told us they would be back next week, along with many more who couldn’t make it today.
“In addition to guests, we also welcomed dementia nurses, carers, members of a local dementia choir, and a local councillor who dropped in to see what we were offering.
“They all commented on the warm, homely atmosphere (‘just like a front room’), the free refreshments, and the friendly staff team. Following today’s session, we have already received two offers of live music, which we are excited to take up.”
The new community venture has been made possible through generous support from local businesses including as part of a ‘Hoghton Street Cares’ campaign run by Southport Community Sports.
Stokers, Fletchers solicitors, Birkdale Insurance, Harrison Drury, Napthens, The Print Quarter, British Heart Foundation, Waterstones, Dunelm, Dobbies and Stubbs Parkin are all supporting and Sainsbury’s will donate refreshments.
Southport ASDA has added some festive sparkle by donating a 9ft tall Christmas tree.
The Print Quarter has printed some leaflets for the Dementia Cafe, which have been distributed to local GP surgeries and other venues to raise awareness and let families know that it is opening and will soon be available.
- For further information about the Dementia Cafe, or to make a donation, please call 01704 538317 or email: Steve@southportcommunitysports.co.uk or call into YMCA Southport
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