Members of Colyton and Colyford Memory Café enjoyed a trip to the World of Country Life in Exmouth this week.

Home Instead East Devon teamed up with the Colyton and Colyford Memory Cafe to support the trip and provided free dementia awareness training prior to the event. 

The World of Country Life team provided activities such as reminiscence therapy via the Memory Lane exhibit at the park – a life size and interactive street featuring a local pub, butchers, clothes shop, homeware supplier and more, including period pieces, sights and sounds from times gone by.

The group also enjoyed the World of Country Life ‘Deer Train’ experience, putting them in close contact with the park animals including llama, sheep and deer, followed by a stop off at the park café for a cream tea.

Colyton Memory Cafe is led by a team of volunteers which meets twice monthly, offering support, guidance, activity and friendship to over 50 members living with dementia, along with their loved ones or carers.

Memory Café chair Sue Whitell said: “It’s been a great day of new experiences and of fond memories – just perfect all round. We are really grateful to Home Instead and to World of Country Life for this treat and will be back.”

World of Country Life marketing manager, Debbie Butler said: “It was really wonderful to welcome the memory café group, and to see them enjoy the exhibits so genuinely. It was a day we will never forget, and we are already looking forward to their next visit, to enjoy the many other elements of the park. There’s something for everyone.”

Home Instead Exeter & East Devon Owner/Director Mark McGlade described some heart-warming moments where group members enjoyed memories, conversations and activities that were thought forgotten said: “It’s been an amazing day. As dementia specialists we support our clients to enjoy each minute wherever they ‘are’ at that moment, as of course dementia can mean an altered sense of reality at times. To see the sheer enjoyment of group members today as they shared memories and laughter, was wonderful. A highlight has to be Mary, and her friends enjoying a gentle go on the swings… Mary is 94 next week!”

For further information call 01395 200600, visit homeinstead.co.uk/exeter-east-devon