Umbrella Dementia Cafes

15/05/2026

Golden Hour Café, Emerald dementia cafe is OPEN! 🌟

Golden Hour Café officially opened its doors on May 6th, and it was a resounding success!

Developed by the Rotary Club of Emerald and District, the club has created a dedicated local space where those living with dementia and their partners can reconnect, have a laugh and feel truly understood.

Golden Hour Café is an official Umbrella Dementia Cafés affiliate partner. Their volunteer team has been trained in the UDC model, ensuring that the same high standards of care, connection, and community-led support are at the heart of everything they do. We are so excited to support them as they grow and flourish!

What to Expect
The café offers a warm, supportive environment built on dignity and shared experience. It is a place to step away from the daily challenges of dementia and enjoy the company of others who "just get it."

Join Us
* When: The 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month
* Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
* Where: RSL Emerald, 3 Memorial Drive, Emerald
*Who: People diagnosed early to mid-stage dementia and their family care-partner only.

Registration essential. No walk-ins.

To join the group or learn more, please email Kris Ash - [email protected]

or visit their website - https://www.emeraldrotary.org.au/page/rotary-golden-hour-cafe

A True Community Effort
This initiative is a shining example of what happens when a community collaborates to make a difference. A heartfelt thank you to the volunteer team and the local partners who make this possible:

Falcone & Adams Lawyers
Thats Right Bookkeeping
Rotary Club of Emerald & District
Orgment Business Solutions
Emerald RSL Sub-Branch Inc.
Cardinia Community Foundation
Rotary District 9815

We look forward to seeing many friendly faces their next session Wednesday 20th May!

04/05/2026

Golden Hour Cafe, Emerald's new dementia cafes opens this Wednesday 6th May (and then twice monthly), welcoming couples from the Emerald and District area living with dementia.

Register so you don't miss out as spots are limited! Meet other couples and families living with the same challenges you are, all while enjoying a cuppa and a laugh in a safe, supported environment.

The cafe is run by the fabulous volunteers at Rotary Club Emerald & District who were all trained by Umbrella Dementia Cafes in our unique model.

When: Wednesday 6th May
TIme: 10am - 12noon
Where: RSL Emerald, 3 Memorial Ave, Emerald
Cost: Free for all trial members
Provided: morning tea, friendship, carers support, activities and laughter.

To register call: Kris Ash on 0412 399 001 or click on the link below to find out more.

The Golden Hour Cafe is our first offical Affiliate Dementia Cafe partner. We will be supporting them every step of the way to support their local community living with dementia.

Visit their website to learn more.

information on the golden hour cafe - a project of the rotary club of emerald & district

24/04/2026

A new dementia cafe is OPENING in Emerald, Victoria on Wenesday 6th May!

We are thrilled to be supporting the Rotary Club Emerald & District to launch their Golden Hour Cafe, which follows the Umbrella Dementia Cafes model.

The Golden Hour Cafe is our newest affiliated dementia cafe partner and we’re right there beside them, every step of the way!

If you’re local to Emerald, you or your partner has had a recent dementia diagnosis, and you want to connect with people living a similar experience, please contact Cafe Facilitator, Kris Ash - details in the link below. Please visit the website to find out more.

https://www.emeraldrotary.org.au/page/rotary-golden-hour-cafe

Rotary Club of Emerald & District
Emerald RSL

08/04/2026

Join us this Friday 10th April at Ashburton Community Centre for a FREE information session, morning tea included ☕️🍰

Local communities have all the resources to support families experiencing dementia, but so many of us dont know about what is out there. UDC and Ashburton Community Centre have collaborated with community houses in the Eastern/South Eastern suburbs to raise awareness of the low-cost, dementia-friendly and inclusive activities available to the public.

We have a fantastic line-up of guest speakers, demonstrations & activities for this event, but places are limited so book your free tickets now! A direct link to the bookings page can be accessed here: https://acc.asapconnected.com/ =324914

12/02/2026

“While age and genetics play a major role, researchers have found that lifestyle changes can significantly lower the risk of developing dementia.” Read more about how we can all lower our risk.

New research identifies 14 modifiable dementia risk factors and points to practical steps people and communities can take to reduce risk.

04/02/2026

🧡 Volunteer With Heart at Burwood Brickworks!

Looking for a volunteer role that’s meaningful, social and genuinely fun? At our Umbrella Dementia Cafés, Burwood Chatworks cafe, we bring together community members living with dementia and their families to enjoy a laugh, connect and support each other — and we’d love you to be part of it. We’re looking for 3 to 4 new volunteers to join our ‘Chatworks’ team.

When: Twice monthly, every 2nd & 4th Wednesday each month, 12.30-4.30pm
Where: The Hollow, Level 1, Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre.

If this sounds like something you are interested in, please contact Jess via our website at
www.umbrelladementiacafes.com.au

14/01/2026

Thank you to our major community partner Community Bank Blackburn South. Their 20th Anniversary 3yr Community Grant has made a significant impact in our local dementia cafe community.

It’s because of CBBS, we can extended our reach, impact and support to more Australians living with dementia, and now we’re actively building more awareness about the importance of social connection while living with dementia in the Monash and Emerald communities.

16/12/2025

The recent horrific attack on the Jewish community in Sydney deeply saddened our UDC team and our entire dementia cafe community. On a day where our fellow Australians felt entirely safe to celebrate a sacred tradition.

Our hearts break to witness the rise of hate, racism, antisemitism and cruelty—both in the world and amplified across social media.

We can never understand the impulse to destroy another human simply because of who they are, what they believe or where they’ve come from.

Hate is loud, but it never wins.

We pray this horrific tragedy strengthens our Australian community, and unites us to ensure this never happens again.

Umbrella Dementia Cafes stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish friends and community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who are affected and impacted by this evil crime.

No matter what. No matter who.
We choose love. 🧡


Image credit - ABC News

25/09/2025

A huge shout-out and massive thank you to the incredible fundraising dream team, Terry Phippen and Colleen MacKay!

They hosted a brilliant Comedy By The Bay fundraiser on September 17th at the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, and what a night it was! They raised a staggering $6,146 (and still counting) for Umbrella Dementia Cafés during International Dementia Awareness Month, completely smashing their $5,000 goal!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our cause. A special shout-out to our brilliant Master of Ceremonies, Johnny Kats, and comedians Evan Hocking and Bart Freebairn, who had us all in stitches!

We also want to give a huge thank you to our fabulous sponsors: Car City, Point Nepean Men's Shed, and (Bendigo Bank). Your support made this night incredible and a HUGE SUCCESS!.

The money raised will directly support the two Mornington Peninsula dementia cafes; the Friendship Café in Capel Sounds and the Navigator Cafe in Sorrento.

Congratulations again to Terry and Colleen for a truly successful and fun-filled night!

23/09/2025

Introducing our WHITEHORSE WHIRLWINDS dance troop!

Our three Whitehorse Dementia Cafes; Cafe of Connections Box Hill South, Umbrella Cafe, Blackburn and Burwood Chatworks have teamed up to Dance Against Dementia TOMORROW afternoon (24th Sept 1.30 - 3.30pm) at Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre, Level 1, 70 Middlesborough Road.

We’re delighted to announce that our event is completely SOLD OUT! But we urgently need your support. Please sponsor our Whitehorse Whirwinds dance troop as they dust off their dance shoes to raise money for their cafes. Please donate by visiting our fundraising page here - https://umbrella-dementia-cafes.grassrootz.com/dance-against-dementia-2025/the-whitehorse-whirlwinds

Our goal is to raise $2,500 throughout September, during Dementia Awareness Month.

It only takes a minute and any money you can give (no matter how large or small) will go a long way to helping them reach their target!

Thank you to our dementia cafe partners Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre and Frasers Property Australia for providing such a PERFECT venue!