Luton volunteer cafe celebrates Easter bonnet parade for people with dementia and their carers

A Luton cafe set up by volunteers celebrated Easter with dancing, afternoon tea, and an Easter bonnet parade.

Young@Heart Cafe at St John’s Parish Centre (Sundon Park Road) provides support and song for people with memory difficulties and their carers in the Luton and Dunstable area.

On Wednesday (April 5), the cafe held its annual Easter Bonnet Parade, with hats decorated by its guests.

Neil Richardson, one of the cafe's regular entertainers, led the afternoon of entertainment and the traditional Easter parade song. Stopsley-based care providing company Home Instead has worked in partnership with the Parish of Holy Family and St John’s Parish Centre to provide the cafe – which is a support network within the community for those living with dementia or other long-term conditions, their family, and carers.

Maria Collins, owner of Home Instead Luton, said: “Seeing all of our guests get involved and wear the hats they created was so heart-warming, there was lots of fun, song, and laughter as they paraded around the hall to the music from our entertainer.”

Christine Boyd, co-ordinator for the cafe, added: “Young@Heart just seems to go from strength to strength, and this is just one of the events in our calendar. With our committed volunteers we can demonstrate that living well with dementia is possible, and our Easter event shows exactly that. We look forward to welcoming people to the café and helping more families keen to support their older loved ones.”

You can view more pictures of the event on photographer Tony Margiocchi's website.