A rotary club celebrated the first year anniversary today of a monthly event set up for dementia sufferers.

The Memory Café was set up by the Leytonstone and Woodford Rotary Club in Chigwell Road, Woodford Bridge, last year to give dementia and Alzheimer’s sufferers an afternoon of food, refreshments and entertainment.

Event co-ordinator Geoffrey Stimpson, said: “It gives dementia sufferers from all over the borough a chance to get out and about rather than sitting in their care homes all day, often staring at the wallpaper.

“There is always a very good turn out and we have even had complaints from the care homes that we are overfeeding them, saying they don’t want their dinners when they get back.

“The event was set up to help families and carers with the everyday task of looking after people with the condition.

“A lot of them no longer recognise family members anymore and because people are living so much longer, there has not been enough research into how to combat the disease when it gets to that stage.”

Attendees are treated on the last Friday of every month, with all costs covered by the club.