ATTRACTING visitors to the launch of a dementia cafe in Abbeyview Day Centre was a piece of cake.

The new cafe will open on a Monday and a Thursday from 11.30am-1.30pm for those suffering from dementia and their carers.

Around 50 members of the public and social care professionals attended the opening where tea and coffee and slices of cake went down a treat.

Fiona Crowe, chairperson of the Abbeyview Day Centre board, was delighted at the turnout at the launch.

“Getting people to come was half the battle,” she said. “We had around 50 people, ranging from the public to professionals in social work. We now have three volunteers who will look to help support our two staff employees at the cafe.

“The cafe is for anyone who has dementia and their carers as well.

“It’s important for those living with dementia to retain their independence.

“The cafe is designed to increase their interaction, give them a different social outlook and give carers some respite, too.

“Living with someone who has dementia is a 24/7 job that has a lot of repetition. We have a carers room where they can chill and have a blether with fellow carers.”

Marvyn Stewart, a lifelong Dunfermline Athletic fan, gave a talk about her husband, George, and his battles with the illness as well as their day-to-day lives and how they both cope.

Ted Gardner, a dementia sufferer, also spoke about wanting to integrate himself into the Abbeyview community after moving to the area recently.

The launch was also attended by Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman. He cut the cake and opened the cafe.

He said: “It will provide a fantastic service, both to the people who have these conditions as well as to their carers. For them to have that level of support is important.

"For people with dementia, this is good way to have positive things that they can become involved with and enjoy. I’d like to thank the people who are running the cafe for their care and hard work to help those it affects in our community.”