THE cafe known for giving people living with a dementia a place to be treated with respect has won a major award.
Garden City Shopping Centre’s Memory Cafe, which is located at Coffea, has received the Gold Award in the Cause Related Marketing category at the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) Asia Pacific Awards.
The cafe was set up in September 2016 by Ardross couple Keith and Wendy Glance as a inclusive space for people living with dementia to come together, enjoy a coffee, and connect through shared experiences.
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READ NOWCentre senior marketing manager Clare Riley said the award was a huge deal because they were up against finalists from around Asia.
“There is an older demographic in the City of Melville with 20 per cent of the population being over 60,” she said.
“The City of Melvillle also has the second-highest number of people living with dementia of any local government in WA.
“Keith and Wendy were the catalysts for the project and Coffea was chosen because it is an intimate venue.
“The cafe has been marketed through the City and Alzheimer’s WA.”
Coffea owner Euro Lumb said there was always a nice buzz when the Memory Cafe took place on the last Tuesday of each month.
“Our staff have had training and it’s an opportunity for them to learn patience and understanding,” he said.
“For the customers who come here, they aren’t treated differently but they are treated with respect.”