Memory Lane Cafe, Gaiety Theatre

Amanda Nicol and Christine Maxwell, delivered an enthusiastic presentation on ‘The Memory Lane Café’, a volunteer-led, dementia-friendly and community café based at The Gaiety in Ayr.

Amanda is the Volunteer Engagement Manager and coordinator of the Café. Christine is the organisation’s lead volunteer for Memory Lane Café, and has been instrumental in helping to create a warm, welcoming and supportive atmosphere that has become such an important part of the café. She works closely with the volunteers and the wider community to create inclusive, welcoming spaces, with a particular focus on supporting people living with early memory loss/dementia and their carers.

Since launching Memory Lane Café in January 2024, Amanda has developed a programme of monthly sessions that combine social connection, themed activities, and a relaxed, supportive environment at the café through to themed activities and community connection.

Both Amanda and Christine are passionate about building community connections and creating opportunities that improves wellbeing, reduces isolation, and brings people together in meaningful ways. They bring a huge amount of compassion, creativity and lived understanding to the project, which has allowed the café to grow with strong engagement and positive feedback from attendees and carers alike.

Memory Lane Cafe is run by Gaiety volunteers, and welcomes everyone living with dementia or memory loss, along with their carers and family members to attend.
Join us at Gaiety 2, 1C Arthur Street, for a relaxed afternoon with friends old and new over a cup of tea. For those living with dementia, it’s hugely important to receive regular interaction with others, as this will help their confidence and trigger mental stimulation. Attending a cafe and talking to like-minded people also provides an informative and friendly space to answer any questions people living with dementia, their carers, friends and family may have.

The Memory Lane Cafe will also provide activities to keep body and mind active, ranging from a simple quiz to arts and crafts and listening to music. This is also an opportunity to talk to like-minded people and will provide an informative and friendly space to answer any questions people living with dementia, their carers, friends and family may have.

Amanda explained that Memory Lane Café is delighted to be incorporating resources and material provided by @playlistforlifeuk to support conversations and reminiscence throughout the session. This partnership helps highlight the powerful connection between music, memory and wellbeing.

Christine concluded by inviting Ayr Rotary members to join one of the monthly events to experience a relaxed and friendly gathering. Their Memory Lane Café offers a comforting space for people living with dementia, along with their carers, friends, and family members.

Hosted by their wonderful Gaiety volunteers, the afternoons include light activities to keep minds and bodies engaged, such as quizzes, arts and crafts, and music.

Everyone affected by dementia or memory loss is warmly welcomed.

David McIntyre gave a worthy vote of thanks.