PEOPLE in the community suffering from dementia and memory problems who enjoy the monthly Okehampton College Memory Café have been given a boost thanks to Waitrose.

The store has donated £235 to the café scheme, which will be used to help pay towards a café outing, and possibly new equipment.

The money was raised through the store's green token Community Matters scheme.

The college has been running the café since May 2013 in its efforts to become 'dementia friendly'.

The monthly service runs on the second Tuesday of each month in the Growing our Future hut on the college site, with music and activities supported by students and refreshments.

College ambassadors are to attend a workshop and receive training in accordance with the Alzheimer's Association.

Okehampton is one of only 21 schools and colleges across England involved in such intergenerational work. From signing-in visitors, to how to meet and greet visitors, the college ambassadors gain many social skills not taught within the formal curriculum.

The café aims to provide a friendly and safe environment for people suffering with memory problems to socialise, while providing the student ambassadors with opportunities.

Julie Luckhurst from the college has been involved with the project.

She said: 'We always want to welcome new people to the café, perhaps people who have been recently diagnosed with a memory condition, or even people who are just feeling a bit lonely and would like to meet new people in a safe, welcoming environment.

'It is a great opportunity for our student ambassadors.

'Not only does it look good on a CV or university application but they get a lot from it personally.

'Some of them may not have relationships with grandparents, and this can give them a chance to socialise and relate to older people.

'I can see many of our ambassadors working in care in the future, with the skills they have picked up and the enthusiasm and compassion they have shown in the café.'

For more information ask for Julie Luckhurst or Jean Harris on 01837 650910. Feel free to leave a message if necessary, and they will call you back as soon as possible.

l Waitrose's Theresa Edwards is pictured with student ambassadors and users of the Okehampton College Memory Cafe.