Chair’s Annual Report: 2021-22

As the new chairman of Beeston Memory Cafe this is my first report in office. This is now the eighth year since we formed and I can say it has been a very interesting and exciting year. Having now come out of a major pandemic we are recovering well. Although sadly we have lost guests we have also gained new guests. Welcome to you all. We are now once again able to hold whole group meetings weekly. Can I firstly say a big welcome to our two new trustees and also new volunteers . I would like to thank my predecessor Janet Patrick who was one of the original founders of this great Memory Café and also all trustees and volunteers who work so hard to keep us running. A very special thank you to our administrator who keeps us all well informed with regular bulletins and other information. We are again financially healthy with thanks to various donations received from both private and organisation donors. Thank you to our treasurer for keeping our accounts in order. Some activities during the last year include fun and games, singing with Mary, carers sessions, dancing with Doug and massage sessions plus various musical groups. I would like to say a special thank you to all trustees and volunteers for organising these sessions which also include summer garden party and Christmas party. Also special thanks to our volunteers for all they do in the carers’ sessions. I would also like to thank Nottinghamshire County Council for their generous grants to our Memory Cafe and to Broxtowe Borough Council who have helped us previously with funding during the pandemic. Finally, a great big thank you to Paul Walsh and all his staff at Middle Street Resource Centre who have helped us in many ways not only with accommodation but also with catering and other valuable advice. I wish the Memory Café every success in the years to come.
Derek A Burnett BEM
October 2022