Tenby’s ‘Memory Cafe’ will meet at the end of the month to coincide with the World Alzheimer’s Month campaign to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council, Clr. Mrs. Samantha Skyrme-Blackhall told her colleagues that with the recent introduction of the ‘beach friendly wheelchairs’ to the resort, this was just the start of a campaign to improve access to all parts of the town, with steps in place to try and help Tenby become a more dementia friendly town.

“The beach wheelchairs for Castle and North beaches have been a big success,” she told her colleagues.

“Children have been able to use them too from the feedback I’ve had from the owners of Joe’s Diner on North Beach - and there will be more to come next season.

“Last month, myself and the Mayor both attended a ‘Dementia Friendly Engagement’ meeting in the town. We could see from outside what those suffering with Alzheimer’s go through, and also what carers have to do to cope.

“The Memory Cafe meetings are a chance for those with dementia to meet with others in a quiet and relaxed setting.

“In a bid to try and make Tenby more dementia friendly, I will be meeting with representatives from such groups to see what we can do moving forward, before then approaching businesses etc in the town.

Clr. Mrs. Skyrme-Blackhall said that a steering group would be formed as one of the steps in applying for recognition.

“Anyone can be a ‘dementia friend’ I am, and the mayor is too, and I feel it’s something that is very important for the town,” she added.

The Memory Cafe which is held each month inTenby, will have their next meeting on Thursday, September 26, between 2 and 4 pm, at St Teilos Church Hall.