Former NHS nurse opens dementia-friendly cafe

9 hours ago

Clare AshfordBBC Radio Shropshire

News image — Kate's Cafe is open between Oswestry and Shrewsbury and aims to tackle rural isolation and help those who are living with dementia

Martin & Jones Marketing A man and woman standing on wooden decking next to a wooden bench with a white parasol. In the background is a cafe with a wall of windows and and open glass door. A light green sign with white writing reads "Kate's Cafe" — Kate's Cafe is open between Oswestry and Shrewsbury and aims to tackle rural isolation and help those who are living with dementia

Leaving the NHS after more than a decade, Monica Sharma from Shropshire thought she would have a bit of a break while her husband was in India.

However, she soon realised she could not sit still, and her social nature drove her to want to connect with people in the community just like she had done in the health service.

So, in May, she opened Kate's Cafe, located at the Shotatton Crossroads between Oswestry and Shrewsbury, which aims to tackle rural isolation and help those living with dementia.

"This allows me to keep doing my job as a nurse, but in a completely different way," she said.

"I know dementia, I worked in dementia unit, the behaviour can be challenging.

"I know how vital it is to have an environment where there is nobody to judge visitors.

"They are free to come to our cafe without any judgments."

Martin & Jones Marketing A man and a woman are standing inside a cafe in front of a dark wood counter with a screen and small black receipt printer on it. There is a glass fronted container on it and there are pastries inside it — Monica Sharma, who worked in the NHS for more than a decade, has had a lot of experience with dementia patients

Sharma said she was proud the cafe was dementia-friendly, and has regular customers who came along to socialise.

"There are elderly ladies who are suffering with dementia and Alzheimer's, they come and have a coffee and tea with us, or the little sandwich - they really enjoy it," she said.

"They are introducing us in their groups as well... they're bringing their fathers, mothers, and we're bringing the community together."

Sharma added she did not want to turn Kate's Cafe into a formal restaurant.

"I want it to be a community space," she said.

"A place where carers feel confident bringing their loved ones for a safe day out, and where everyone feels like they belong."