Worcester Warriors dementia cafe worried about future

BBC Carol HartBBC
The dementia cafe is run from Sixways Stadium

A charity with links to Worcester Warriors says it is worried about the future of a dementia cafe at the stadium as the club faces a threat of administration.

Although the Worcester Warriors Community Foundation is independent, it is also the official charity of the rugby club.

The club has been handed a winding-up petition over unpaid tax.

However, it said it was in dialogue with HM Revenue and Customs.

"The last thing we would want to do is find a new home," Carol Hart, chief executive of the foundation, said.

"We support upwards of 15,000 people every year and the dementia cafe [at the stadium] is just one of those programmes."

People playing boccia
The cafe provides games such as boccia

The weekly cafe started six years ago. People are able to take part in activities such as the ball game boccia, table tennis and cricket.

Izzy Brick, an adaptive sports coach, said Sixways Stadium was useful because it "offers a lot of space".

Izzy Brick
Izzy Brick said sometimes the rugby players visited the dementia cafe

"Also if the lads are out training, a lot of our [patients] are rugby fans, they get to come in and see the lads and every now and then the players visit when they've got a bit of free time," Ms Brick said.

Mariella Lloyd and her mother visit the cafe every week.

"We can come, have a chat, have a free coffee... there are lots of different activities," Ms Lloyd said.

"I like to bring mum to various different things to keep her mind active.

"Her dementia is affecting her memory, but that doesn't mean life's over."

Mariella and her mother
Mariella Lloyd (right) said she brought he mother to the cafe every week
Presentational grey line

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]