Memory Lane Cafes
Dementia Australia’s Memory Lane Cafes offer social support through regular, scheduled group get-togethers designed for you — a person living with dementia — and your family member, friend or other support person (this does not include paid carers).
About Memory Lane Cafe groups
Dementia Australia’s Memory Lane Cafes offer social support through regular, scheduled group get-togethers designed for you – a person living with dementia – and your carer or support person.
You can go to a Memory Lane Cafe to:
- meet other people living with dementia
- help you feel more connected to people with experiences like yours
- allow your carer or support person to meet other carers
- get information about health and services.
What you need to know about Memory Lane Cafes
Cost: Memory Lane Cafes are free.
Where: There are more than 40 Memory Lane Cafes running across Australia, in each state and territory. Enquire below to find out if there’s one near you.
Eligibility: For people with a formal dementia diagnosis and a family member, friend or support person (this is not suitable for paid carers).
Meeting schedule: Groups meet regularly at a fixed time every six weeks.
Group sizes: Cafes vary from 10 people to 80–100 people.
Organisation: There will be an organiser from Dementia Australia present, dementia support specialists and/or counselling staff. Sometimes volunteers attend too.
Activities and entertainment: These vary from one Memory Lane Cafe to another. They are designed to be meaningful and fun, always supporting participants and designed around their interests.
What a delightful experience this was. Bringing joy to our routines, so reassuring, a safe space, so generous, so entertaining, bringing connections, beautiful memories, a safe outing, fun for all. Look forward to further days.
Pam and Neil, Memory Lane Cafe attendees
Frequently asked questions
Are Memory Lane Cafes actual Cafes?
Memory Lane Cafes aren’t businesses like a cafe on the street. We call them Cafes because they have the same casual, social atmosphere as a cafe.
Can I attend without a person with dementia?
Memory Lane Cafes are designed for both a person living with dementia and a family member or carer to attend together. If you're looking for a carer support group, contact the National Dementia Helpline.
Can I join if I’m enrolled in another Dementia Australia program?
Yes, if you are part of another Dementia Australia program, you are welcome to come to a Memory Lane Cafe.
How long can I participate in the program?
The Dementia Australia team will work with you on whether a Memory Lane Cafe is available near you and whether it is the best service to meet your needs. If you are accessing a cafe, the DA team will continue to work with you on your needs and how we can best support you.
I may need care assistance. Can someone help me?
People coming to a Cafe need to be able to attend to their own care needs, as staff are not able to support this.
Find a Memory Lane Cafe
Memory Lane Cafes run in every state and territory around Australia. To find out if there is one near you, contact the free National Dementia Helpline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.