Connect, share and find support at any of these dementia-friendly cafés nationwide.
Umbrella Dementia Cafes
Umbrella Dementia Cafés is an independent charity, operating five volunteer-supported social groups across Victoria, providing supportive environments for individuals with dementia and their carers. Our dementia cafés are located in local community settings including neighbourhood houses, churches and a shopping centre. Each other personalised activities that promote autonomy, connection, awareness and inclusivity.
Where are our cafes located?
All five of our dementia cafes are located in Victoria. We have a dementia café in Blackburn, Box Hill South, Burwood, Capel Sounds and Sorrento.
Who operates the Umbrella Dementia Cafes?
Each of our cafes have a dedicated paid Café Facilitators who are supported by a team of up to 10 trained volunteers, most with lived experience.
Umbrella Dementia Cafes has an operational team who provide all the resources, administration, equipment and insurances to allow the Café Facilitators, café participants (including members and volunteers) to thrive in a positive cafe culture, are continuously improving and enjoy a high-quality café program that is directly reflective of the people who attend. .
How many people attend each café?
The capacity of each café is based on the size of the room, however we limit each group to 10 couples and 10 volunteers.
We have two registration periods each year, February and December. Once each café has reached its capacity of 10 couples, we place people on a waitlist until the next registration period or if a couple leaves the group.
What happens at each café?
In three words – fun, friendship and support.
Each cafe runs for a maximum of 2 hours. Volunteers meet one hour before the café to set up and stay for an hour afterwards to pack away.
The 2-hour café time is divided up into 3 parts; enjoy a morning or afternoon tea together, fun activities and a Carers Support Meeting.
Other Cafes
Beyond Umbrella Dementia Cafés, there are other dementia cafes who are a part of our UDC network, but who operate independently of UDC. Some are completely autonomous but enjoy regular catchups, others were established with the help of Umbrella Dementia Cafes but operate independently. But ALL share the same community led approach and foster inclusive, supportive environments for people with dementia and their family care-partners.
Are all dementia cafes an Umbrella Dementia Cafe?
No. Umbrella Dementia Cafes have five cafes we are completely responsible for. The other cafés dotted around Australia are largely independent and prefer to be autonomous.
The dementia cafes listed in our directory are known to Umbrella Dementia Cafes and are directly connected through shared values, mission and approach. Each café is community orientated and self- funded. Each café has given us permission to be included in the cafe directory.
How are dementia cafes supported?
It varies from café to café.
Most dementia cafes are community led and often supported by a incorporated association who have a team of volunteers to run the café.
Dementia cafes can be funded through membership fees, local donations and / or government grants. If the dementia cafe is associated to a Home Care Provider or Aged Care Provider, the café will be entirely owned and operated by the company.
Are all dementia cafés the same?
No, but all dementia cafés are designed to support both the person with dementia and their family care-partner. They each provide awareness and information and offer connection and a social outlet.
Each café group will have a different structure, offer different programs and have unique physical environments. Some cafés have a paid facilitator and other are completely volunteer led.
We encourage you to visit a café and get a feel for it to see if it suits you.
Can our café be included on the cafe directory?
A resounding Yes! If you are a community-led group who is supported by an incorporated association and believe what we believe, please get in touch or fill out the form here.
Check out our article ‘What Is A Community Led Dementia Café?’ to see how your café compares.
Sponsors and Partners
Proudly supported by our generous sponsors and partners who help us create meaningful change and provide vital support for people living with dementia.
Major Supporters
Community Supporters
