Forget Me Not – Dementia Action Week
This week is Dementia Action Week and to mark it, I visited a brilliant local organisation supporting local people living with dementia and their families.
The Forget Me Not Dementia Café meets at Marton Methodist Church every Monday and Wednesday between 11am and 1pm. On the fourth Wednesday of each month it also operates as Blackpool Dementia Hub.
I was welcomed by a team of dedicated and passionate volunteers and guests who were gathering for a morning of music, tea and conversation. The café was founded by Jenny Fitzimmons, whose experiences caring for both her mother and husband through dementia inspired her to create a space where people could find support earlier and never feel alone.
It was a lovely surprise to see my old school friend Beverley there leading the music sessions. Beverley recently launched Together in Tune, an initiative offering interactive guitar sing-alongs for older people and those living with dementia. She led classics like The Wild Rover and Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da and it was genuinely moving to see the room come alive with singing, laughter and memories.
Beverley from Together in Tune
The power of music in dementia care was clear to see. Shared experiences like these can lift spirits, spark precious memories and create a real sense of community and belonging.
Jenny spoke movingly about the challenges she faced when caring for her loved ones and how difficult it was to access the right support at the right time. That experience became the driving force behind Forget Me Not – making sure other families receive the help and understanding they need much sooner.
What struck me most during my visit was the strength of the community that has been built around the café. Every few months they organise parties for families affected by dementia, giving carers and loved ones a chance to connect as well.
The café’s garden was another highlight of the visit – a beautiful, peaceful space full of colour and life. Volunteers and guests maintain it together, planting flowers and creating an environment that encourages both relaxation and activity.
Founder Jenny in the dementia garden at Marton Methodist Church
Since becoming MP for Blackpool South, some of the most rewarding moments have been meeting local groups like this and seeing first-hand the difference they make in people’s lives. Organisations such as Forget Me Not are a lifeline for so many people in our community and I want to do everything I can to support their work and help connect them with funding and opportunities.
More than one third of people in the UK living with dementia currently have no formal diagnosis, meaning they can miss out on vital care and support. Common signs can include memory loss, difficulty carrying out familiar tasks, confusion, or problems with language and communication. If you recognise these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, I encourage you to speak to the NHS or organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society.
I welcome the government’s commitment to improving dementia care through the forthcoming Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia. Alongside a new Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care Framework, this aims to improve standards of care, reduce inequalities in access to support and ensure people living with dementia receive more personalised care closer to home.
These reforms will help drive better coordination between the NHS, adult social care and community services, while supporting earlier intervention and strengthening support for families and carers. The government is also progressing plans for a National Care Service, backed by additional investment in adult social care over the coming years.
Voluntary organisations and community groups will continue to play a crucial role alongside these reforms. The compassion, dignity and companionship offered by places like Forget Me Not can’t be replaced and I am incredibly grateful to everyone involved for the difference they make every single day.
Visit www.forgetmenotblackpool.co.uk for more information on this brilliant local service and www.alzheimers.org.uk to learn more and access support.
