I’m Jane and have been involved with Dengie D-Caf as a volunteer since it started in 2015. I have also been a Trustee since 2022. I am a retired teacher and singer and am now a town councillor. I take the lead for singing at the sessions and love my role in this very friendly group.
I’m Alex, I’m a Trustee with Dengie D-Caf. I also manage the local Post Office. I have been involved with Dengie D-Caf since 2015, first as a volunteer, but now mostly as a Trustee. I’m so proud of how this group has grown, and am delighted at how much support and happiness it brings to people.
I’m Midori, I’m a Trustee with Dengie D-Caf. I work full time as a Business Continuity Manager. My best friend from school spent almost a decade caring for her Mum who suffered from dementia. Her Mum sadly passed away last year, but when I heard about Dengie D-Caf I wanted to get involved and support where I can as I know she would have really appreciated a similar service if it had been available to her or her Dad as they cared for her Mum.
I’m Barry, and I’ve been a D-Caf volunteer since 2021. Both my father and grandfather lived with vascular dementia and I know how hard it can be for the family and friends watching your parent or loved one gradually no longer recognising who you are. I am also the Treasurer for Dengie D-Caf after retiring in 2015 after a lifelong career as an auditor.
I’m Karen, I am the Organiser for Dengie D-Caf. I started as a volunteer when I retired in 2016 after a 26-year career in various Older Peoples Services. I took on the role of Organiser in 2021 when our founder, Cris Franchi emigrated to Australia. My mother had early onset Alzheimers disease and it was very hard to watch her decline so rapidly at such a young age, losing her ability to recognise any of us. I am passionate about promoting our service and reaching out to anyone living with Dementia in our rural community. I am incredibly proud of what we achieve with our amazing team of volunteers and Trustees in our very rural corner of Essex.
I’m Jae, and besides my role as chief of refreshments, I have taken on the main lead for seated exercise after a career as a Physical Exercise teacher. I started volunteering for Dengie D-Caf in 2019 when I chose Dengie D-Caf as my charity when I was ladies captain at the local golf club. I enjoy promoting Dengie D-Caf and can often be seen standing in local supermarket foyers with our marketing stand and charity bucket. In 2009, my Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimers. She moved to a wonderful specialist Dementia care home in Kent, and I visited 3 times a week, and she always knew who I was. Sadly, she died in 2021 from COVID.
I’m Diane, and I am a volunteer with Dengie D-Caf. My Mum had Alzheimers and loved attending Dengie D-Caf for many years. I used to come along with her and it was a great support to me. When my Mum sadly died, I continued as a volunteer as I wanted to give something back to this wonderful group. I have recently become a Town Councillor.
I’m Anne, a retired registered nurse. Professionally I have looked after many patients with Dementia. I have cared for both my dear Grandma and mother-in-law. This experience made me appreciate how hard it is living well with Dementia. One of the greatest privileges I have is to volunteer with Dengie D-Caf. Having fun together whilst taking the lead with Art and Craft projects and of course chatting together.
I’m Sheila, and a new volunteer. I’m really looking forward to helping in this very friendly environment. My own Mother lived with Dementia for several years and I relied on all of the support I received from various organisations and the wonderful people I met. I love talking to people and helping out with this wonderful group.
I’m Sarah a new volunteer at Dengie D-Caf I have been made to feel so welcome it feels like one big family and I am hoping to put my flower arranging skills to good use. My Mum lived with Dementia for 6 1/2 years and my Dad in the last year of his life also had Dementia. You may often see my husband and I riding our beautiful Harley Davidson motorbike around the Dengie if you do give us a wave!
I’m Clare and a new volunteer. My mum had Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia and we came to the Dengie D-Caf a few times. Sadly my mum passed away at the end of last year but I was very moved by how friendly and supportive the group were and wished we had known about the group earlier. I am looking forward to working alongside enthusiastic volunteers, sharing my own experience and helping others.
My husband has dementia. During Covid lockdown we struggled as his condition has badly affected his speech. We were lonely...together but lonely. When we joined the D-caf group and met other people in our position, it was such a relief....such a blessing. To have this sort of support is more valuable than words can say. The group is not only sympathetic to our situation, it creates distractions...entertaining the group with imaginative and worthwhile activities. We have found the group to be an important aspect of our lives. It may sound corny but it is a light like during a dark night.
by Kathy H
Dengie D-Caf gives me precious time with Mum in a happy. inclusive and caring environment, which I had lost to a large extent. The care, thought and time that is put into each session by the amazing organisers is invaluable to both Mum and myself and is a diary highlight every month. Community spirit at its very best, thank you so very much.
by Sally H
We cannot recommend Dengie D-Caff highly enough! They are all the most welcoming, kind, caring and friendly people. They are just like a second family to not only my mum suffering from Dementia but to myself too. The support, laughter, fun activities and little day trips that are organised for us all are fantastic and they really do make a very difficult time a whole lot nicer. We both look forward to every meet up, catching up with all of our lovely friends, helpers and getting to enjoy some quality mother/daughter time together away from home. We honestly cannot express how grateful we are to all of you. So from the bottom of our hearts we would like to say a huge thank you to you amazing people that make this wonderful group possible.
Love Julia and my mum Jill x
I would just like to thank all the Dengie D Caf helpers that are there wherever we are and they give their help freely in whatever capacity it is that we need them. I originally thought I would be a helper but it very soon became apparent that that was not going to be the reason I would be at Dengie D Caf, as on first of April oh yes I don’t do things by half I was diagnosed with the early onset of Dementia. Yes we muck in depending on how far we are down that road, without their help, kindness and friendship we would be so much worse off. I take my hat off to you all and say a very big Thank you to you all.
by Gill H
As a volunteer for the Alzheimers Society I am so impressed by the Decaf Support Group. It enables people with dementia, together with family and carers, to chat with people in the same situation in a friendly, relaxed and safe environment. This includes information, actives such as painting, craft, singing and of course tea, coffee and plenty of cake! So helpful to those in the world of dementia.
What can I say since joining decaf my wife and I have had so much to look forward ,to it has so nice meeting other friends in the same situation as ourselves thank you all the volunteers that make our lives so special
by Gus G
Are you caring for a loved member of your family who is suffering with dementia or perhaps for a friend? Are you finding it increasingly difficult to visit places you both used to go to? Are you feeling isolated from friends, events? If yes, you both could do no better than to come to a D.Caf session ( there are 3 sessions a month in the Dengie). You will be warmly greeted and made very welcome. It will be a 2-hour fully inclusive, laughter-filled, fun session. It’s also an opportunity to make new friends, to share experience of caring, to feel reassured (you are not alone), to be offered advice if you want it from visiting professionals such as from the Alzheimer’s Society , to enjoy being looked after by wonderful volunteers. I cannot speak highly enough of the positive experience D.Caf has meant for me and my dear husband Keith.
by Liz
As a volunteer for the Alzheimers Society I am so impressed by the Decaf Support Group. It enables people with dementia, together with family and carers, to chat with people in the same situation in a friendly, relaxed and safe environment. This includes information, actives such as painting, craft, singing and of course tea, coffee and plenty of cake! So helpful to those in the world of dementia.
by Lesley
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