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Dementia Friendly events/activities for across Southampton for weeking beginning Monday 8 December 2025, courtesy of Caraway

Posted by on Dec 5, 2025 in News | 0 comments

Dementia News Southampton – December 2025

MEMORY CAFÉS   •  WELLBEING ACTIVITIES  •  OTHER CAFÉS

Hi All

Advent is here, leading us up to Christmas itself. As you prepare for the festive season make a Memory Cafe part of your celebration this month. Check the dates which may be a bit earlier than usual due to the Christmas holiday.

Christmas Service – we invite you and your family to join us for our Christmas Service at 6pm on Tuesday 9th December at St. James Methodist Church, Shirley. More information below.

Early Bird tickets for our Classical Concert in March next year. Take advantage of the reduced rate and buy your tickets before 6th January.

Carers Course – new course begins on Tuesday 6th January 2026.

More information on all these are below.

With our best wishes,

Ros, Katherine, Dave, Jo & All our Memory Café leads.

•   EXTRAS  •

Join us for our Christmas Service on Tuesday 9th December at St. James Methodist Church, Shirley, SO15 5HE. Service starts at 6pm and there will be festive refreshments afterwards. We would love to see you and your family there – all are welcome and it will all be dementia friendly.

We will be running our next Carers Course from Tuesday 6th January 2026, at Potters Court, Maybush. If you would like to know more or would like to reserve a place please contact us via email.

We are excited to invite you to join us for a beautiful evening of classical music performed by the acclaimed Chamber Ensemble of London, in support of Caraway. With its members counted among some of the finest classical musicians in the country, the ensemble’s exquisite playing and fabulous programme promise an evening to remember. Buy your ticket before 6th January 2026 to get our Early Bird rate. So buy early – maybe a gift for someone this Christmas? Click here to purchase your ticket(s).

Families living with a dementia diagnosis needed!

Would you be willing to talk to first year medical students about dementia?

Southampton University Faculty of Medicine has joined a ground-breaking programme called “Time for Dementia”. On this programme, pairs of students from the Medical Faculty visit families in the region who are living with a dementia diagnosis. These visits take place once a term, i.e. 3 times a year – once in Spring, once in Summer and once in Autumn.

Each visit lasts about an hour or an hour and a half (max). The students are there to learn from the families and gain the fullest possible picture of everyday life with the condition. The visits give the students an invaluable understanding that they can’t get from a book or a classroom. It’s an experience the students will remember for many years.

Talking to students is one way families living with dementia can have a powerful impact on how dementia is understood by the consultants, doctors and researchers of the future.

Duncan Salkeld of Alzheimer’s Society, said, ‘This is about shaping attitudes before the students begin their career in medicine. It’s a great programme and we are looking for local families to participate. The feedback we’ve had so far has been amazing. Families feel they are giving back and students get a unique experience and gain confidence. Joining Time for Dementia means your voice will be heard, and you’ll have a real impact. It’s also fun, and you’ll develop a rapport.’

If you feel you’d like to join in with Time for Dementia, or just chat it over, please contact Duncan Salkeld, Time for Dementia Officer, on 07834 406272 or via email duncan.salkeld@alzheimers.org.uk or timefordementia@alzheimers.org.uk

•  MEMORY CAFÉS  •

WELLBEING ACTIVITIES  •  OTHER CAFÉS

Questions? Suggestions?

We’re here to help! Message us your thoughts:
caraway@caraway.uk.com