Tonbridge Dementia Friendly Community

Proudly supporting the lives of local residents living with dementia.

Contact Us

What We Do

Dementia Friendly Events

We have regular events in a number of local venues that are free to attend. Be it a coffee or a walk around a local garden, all are welcome! Subscribe to our newsletter for regular information about local events.

Dementia support network

Get access to our information resources and discuss your issues with people in a similar situation.

Become a Dementia friendly Business

Why not get your business dementia friendly?

One of our trained advisors will come and deliver a course to help you understand the signs and get you "Dementia Friendly".

Information & Advice

Our team has a wealth of infomation and advice to offer. Please get in touch and see how we can assist you through this difficult situation.

About Us

Formed in 2014 by Chris Parker, a local undertaker with an interest in dementia, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells Dementia Friendly Community (DFC) is a community group made up of local residents, business representatives and volunteers who work in the Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells areas to improve the lives locally for residents living with dementia.

Initially our aim was all about raising awareness and encouraging local businesses to becoe dementia friendly, this all changed following the covid pandemic. Cafes, support groups and choirs previously run by the Alzheimer's society did not re-start. A decision by the society to stop all front line services and move to an information and signposting service left many local residents without this much needed support. The group decided to move into that space. Chris Parker engaged in a programme of serious fundraising and with an amazing group of volunteers established cafes, music groups and a carer support group. Our work continues.

With support from KCC, local businesses and other community groups, we aim to make our towns great places for everyone to live by ensuring that the people who live and work here are more aware of dementia.

Latest News

September diary

Find below a list of all events and cafes taking place this month in your area

September News

Hello everyone,
By now the children will all be returning to school and we will begin to think about Christmas. Having spent years helping to run a Sunday school, September was always the month when the Minister uttered those dreaded word, “what are we doing for church nativity?”
As our Tonbridge café doesn’t meet in December because the venue is unavailable, we have to do the Christmas ‘stuff’ in November, so I’m busy planning.
Once again, I have purchased pantomime tickets from our grant and have 25 available on a first come first served basis. Once all of our service users have got their tickets any remaining will be offered to our wonderful volunteers.
We have a TikTok sensation among our numbers! At the recent musical memories concert I made a short video clip of one of our lovely choir members singing a solo of Moon River. I posted it on TikTok the same evening and by next morning it had been viewed over 1000 times. Now it has reached over 7000 views. Wow! Who would have believed it? A more recent post from our Tonbridge cafe reached over 1000 views in less than 24 hours. You may wonder why I would use a social media platform like TikTok. The easy answer is that it is about raising awareness. TikTok is predominantly used by young people (if you don't count Donald Trump) and many young people are affected by dementia when a grandparent or great grandparent receives a diagnosis. it can be incredibly alarming for a young person who has no knowledge of the condition, don't know how to act around a relative and may have concerns about visiting them. Sharing these little video clips lets them see that we can all have a good time even with that diagnosis and hopefully allow them to feel more comfortable around a relative living with dementia.

ChrisP

Welcome to Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells Dementia Friendly Community