ABOUT UDC

Our cafés are teams of local volunteers working together under one supportive umbrella facilitating greater connections between people living with dementia, their families and their community.

We believe the key to personal wellbeing is social connectedness. It’s about having a community support network around you, understanding, accepting and including you. It’s no different for people experiencing dementia.

Through our cafés we empower people living with dementia to regain autonomy, boost their self esteem and improve their wellbeing. Members enjoy new connections through shared experience, activities or values, and enrich existing connections in an environment that encourages genuine conversation.

We are educating and increasing awareness to improve the lives of not only our members, but the wider community living with dementia. Addressing stigmas, providing accessible information and reaching out to local businesses and community stakeholders is a key piece in the connection puzzle.

Living with dementia can be serious, but that doesn’t mean we need to take it seriously all the time. Playfulness and laughter is something that can easily be overlooked when you are experiencing dementia or in the care role, whilst adjusting to enormous life changes. We’re here to bring back the lightness where our community needs it, or provide a shoulder to cry on when you’re in need of an empathetic friend.

Umbrella Dementia cafés Ltd (UDC) is a registered Health Promotion Charity with deductible gift recipient (DGR) and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission. Every donation over $2 is tax deductible.

What is our Mission?

To empower people living with dementia.

Meet the Team

Kirsty Porter

Founder, CEO & Director

A registered nurse turned social entrepreneur, Kirsty is passionate about showing people how to stay connected to our loved ones experiencing dementia by building supportive environments.

As the CEO and founder, she is responsible for fostering a strong, supportive culture throughout the organisation with an emphasis on empowering everyone to thrive in times of change, crisis and connection.

When she isn’t working, you’ll find Kirsty playing with her young daughters, picking the brains of co-innovators and walking her headstrong dog.

Rob Rees

Director & Co-Chairperson

A man with a long list of accolades including the LGPro Award for diversity and inclusion in Australia, TEDx speaker, Chairman of the School Food Trust in England (appointed by Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2004), founding Board Member of UK Food Standards Agency… the list goes on.

Rob loves nothing more than sinking his teeth into a project that measures impact, creates purpose, develops leaders and grows shared values. Umbrella Dementia cafés is a wonderful example of that.

He actively shares learnings on social enterprise, purpose, impact, cultural intelligence, education, health, social prescribing, nutrition, politics, leadership and consumer issues. A true asset to our team!

Jan Loughman

Director & Co-Chairperson

Jan has over 30 years’ experience in community development and social planning, in both the local government and community sectors. Her roles have included management of strategic planning, social policy, research, infrastructure planning, advocacy, community grants programs and events.

One area of particular interest is the youth and community sectors, working with disadvantaged young people and families, older people, people with disabilities and those impacted by homelessness, unemployment, mental health issues and family violence. Jen also has a strong commitment to community and has served on a number of boards including housing and womens’ refugees.

Chris Porter

Director & Board Secretary

Chris is Kirsty’s husband and a strong supporter of the Umbrella Dementia cafés initiative, having visited the Pabulum café in the UK together in 2016. Chris has supported Kirsty in her UDC journey and joined the board as a Non-Executive Director when the charity was formed in 2018.

In his day job, Chris is an employee benefits consultant, specialising in superannuation, and is a qualified Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the UK. Chris works with some of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, providing actuarial and strategic advice on a range of related matters.

Outside of work, Chris’s two daughters occupy much of his time, but he also enjoys travelling and alpine skiing in the winter months (in either hemisphere).

Rebecca Thorburn

Finance & Operations Manager

After experiencing the effects of dementia first hand with her grandmother, Rebecca is a true cheerleader for Umbrella, understanding the importance of community for people going through similar circumstances.

Rebecca has a Bachelor of Business Accounting and loves crunching numbers, cash flow analysis and spreadsheets. Being able to support Umbrella to achieve its goals brings her great joy.

When Rebecca can tear her eyes away from Excel, she’s raising her three children, hitting the basketball court and looking for ways to make a difference in the future.

Karen Harris

Community Café Leader

A fabulous asset to our team - Karen was a retired clinical trials project manager and a nurse, with experience in aged care, medical centres and general medical wards. She has a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Nursing), a Graduate Diploma in Public Health and a Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing (you could say she loves learning).

Karen worked on trials investigating potential medications for numerous therapeutic areas including oncology, diabetes, anaesthesia and pain relief, respiratory disorders and dementia.

Like many of us, her interest in dementia stems from a family history of the disease. After retiring last year, she looked for potential volunteer opportunities related to dementia care and loved the Umbrella model.

Outside of UDC, Karen enjoys cooking and being with her family and two very large dogs, preferably with a glass of wine in hand!

Our café teams are Community Volunteers

Shayne King

"Umbrella Dementia Cafés", I thought at once how perfect was the name. It is as if a giant umbrella is open - welcoming us and inviting us to take comfort under it, knowing that we are all there - together. As we take each step on our paths UDC provides support, encouragement and connection. This is a gift that is rare indeed and is largely due to Kirsty who keeps us together and moving forward.

Vicki Barnes

Volunteering at the UDC has given me real joy, as it is so wonderful to see people with dementia and their carers enjoying a couple of hours, interacting together and also with the volunteers. It is one of the friendliest and most welcoming communities, who are benefiting so many people in their early stages of dementia.

Clare Gillan

The Umbrella Dementia Café for me is a place of Joy and Care. Joy for the welcome, fun times and togetherness we all experience. Care so readily given by all with the sharing of stories and experiences. We want to share this experience with any families where Dementia is a part of life. A warm welcome is guaranteed.

Rebecka Jacobs

I really believe in being part of the community and supporting each other. I fell in love with the Umbrella dementia community after donating morning tea to the Blackburn group.

Volunteer

If this cause is as close to your heart as it is ours, you may wish to join our community of volunteers. Giving back in a meaningful way can be incredibly rewarding. You will actively be improving lives and contributing to the wider community of people experiencing dementia.

Please note that due to COVID-19 we are unable to take volunteer applications at this time. Sign up to our newsletter below for any updates.

Our goals are to help you stay connected to:

Yourself

We get to know and understand exactly what brings you joy, dignity and fulfilment. Volunteers are empowered to build activities that interest you, fostering a feeling of independence, belonging and autonomy

Your Family

Your partner, family and/or support networks are included in everything we do, and you both share the support and enjoy all the social activities. We believe that an informed, aware and strong family unit or support network is key for resilience and future care decisions

Your Community

We have the legal structure to create positive and functional partnerships within your local community, such as transport, education and equipment concessions, enabling you to live in the community longer

UDC Role Descriptions

As a participant you will have a role specific to your position within the UDC community

Our History

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Umbrella Dementia Cafes

enquiries@umbrelladementiacafes.com.au
0434 245 315