By Kath Gannaway
IT may not take federal funding and three community groups to make a great cup of coffee.
But, in the case of the Whistle Stop Cafe, a meeting place designed to cater for people with dementia and their carers, the joint approach has turned an innovative idea into reality.
The Whistle Stop Cafe at Yarra Junction’s Yarra Centre was officially opened on Thursday, 7 June, by McEwen MP and Minister for Small Business and Tourism Fran Bailey.
Ms Bailey said the partnership of the Federal Government providing seed funding and Eastern Access Community Health, the YMCA and Upper Yarra Community House providing the expertise had achieved the best outcome for the local community and in this case for older residents and their carers.
Peter Ruzyla, CEO of EACH, said the cafe was part of an approach which looked at new ways of working with and supporting people with dementia and their supporters.
Mr Ruzyla said people might live all their life in a community but the debilitating effects of memory loss and old age caused many to withdraw.
When this happened, carers, too, tended to become isolated, he said.
Mr Ruzyla said the Whistle Stop Cafe was a supportive and accepting place where people of all ages would be accepted for who they are rather than for their age.
Jenny Hoskins, coordinator of the Whistle Stop project, and Yarra Centre manager Scott Gamble have worked with the Upper Yarra Community House to train a team of volunteers who will operate the cafe and provide social support for older people. Table activities, including chess, scrabble, cards, newspapers and magazines, are available to keep people’s minds active and conversation flowing.
The cafe is open to the wider community and Mr Ruzyla said he hoped “I’ll meet you at the Whistle Stop” would become a well-used local expression.
For further information on cafe opening times, specific programs or to join the Whistle Stop project as a volunteer, call in at the Yarra Centre any time, phone Ms Hoskins on 0439 942 773 or emailjhoskins@each.com.au
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