Connecting Families in East Sussex, living with Dementia
Join us in creating a supportive and inclusive environment for individuals with dementia and their families. Discover local events and resources designed to enhance quality of life.
Friendly, Supportive Community
Be part of a community that understands and supports your journey. Make new local friends and enjoy quality moments together.
Inclusive Activities
Engage in variety of activities and entertainment genres, tailored to the needs of people with dementia and their care partners.
Professionally Trained Staff
Our experienced, trained staff are supported by a wonderful team of volunteers who will give you a warm welcome at our events.
Meet Our Dedicated Team
Meet Samantha Keylock (pictured right), Founder of Mindful Oak Sussex and Maxine Lowe (pictured left), Café Coordinator. These fabulous ladies along with a team of volunteers bring our events to life. With their creativity, kindness and many years of experience supporting families living with Dementia, they make the Woodland Moments group and Memory Moments Cafés uplifting and supportive places to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our community events and how you can participate.
What is a Memory Moments Café?
Our Memory Moments Café is a weekly pop-up café held in a village or community hall. The cafés last 2-3 hours (depending on the location). A safe and inclusive space to enjoy light refreshments and socialise. Providing opportunities to share with others, creating a new supportive network of friends. Enjoy the wide, varied programme of activities and entertainment on offer.
What is the Woodland Moments Group?
Our Woodland Moments Group is a very special and unique concept. Members come along on Monday mornings to the beautiful woodlands at Bushy Wood where we have a designated glade with a covered seating area and campfire. During the winter we move into a woodland lodge where we are still able to enjoy our surrounding.
Each week offers a variety of different seasonal woodland activities to get involved with, from willow weaving to woodwork. We also invite local musicians and crafts people to share their talents. Our woodland group is fully acessible.
Do I need to book a place?
If you are attending the Woodland Moments Group for the first time, please before call or email us beforehand to book a place.
You do not need to book a place beforehand at the Memory Moments Cafés, you can just turn up, however please feel free to contacts us before attending the first time if you have any questions.
Who can attend?
The Memory Moments Cafés and the Woodland Moments Group are carefully curated to provide meaningful activities for people with memory problems and their care partners to enjoy together. Our groups are not drop off events and you are invited to attend with a family memeber(s) or a care partner.
Our events are intended to be as inclusive as possible and are particularly planned with people with memory problems associated with Dementia, Stroke, Parkinson’s, MND, MS and other neurological conditions in mind.
How much is it to attend?
Memory Moments Cafés are £3.00pp and Woodland Moments is £5.00pp (suggested contribution). This price covers all refreshments and activities.
We want our events to be inclusive for everyone, so please speak with us in confidence if you would like to attend but the price is a barrier for you.
Is there a cancellation charge if I can't make it?
No. The groups are attended on a pay-as-you-go basis on arrival. We understand that some weeks you might not make it along and that’s fine. We shall look forward to welcoming you back next time.
Does Woodland Moments go ahead even in poor weather?
Yes, fortunately we have access to a Lodge at Bushy Woods overlooking a lovely garden area and we can adapt our activities if it’s too wet or cold to be outside. We do recommend bringing a coat and wearing suitable footwear whatever the weather.
Are their accessible toilets available at the venues?
Yes all our venues cater for people with accessibility requirements.
Is there parking at the venues?
Woodland Moments
Yes – free onsite parking. The ground is a little rough and ready, so do take care when making your way over to the glade. There is a pathway to the glade.
Memory Moments, Horam.
Yes – free onsite parking.
Memory Moments, Bexhill
Yes – free onsite parking, plus on-street parking in adjacent residential streets.
Our Supporters
As a small registered not-for-profit Community Interest Group (CIC) we depend on the support of local organisations, grant funds and community support to help us to put on meaningful, beneficial activities and entertainment at our sessions and keep the cost of attendance affordable for our members. We are therefore exceptionally grateful to our wonderful supporters to help make this possible.
Below are a few of the local organisations who have helped us so far. Heartfelt thanks also goes to individuals who have supported through donations, volunteering and raffle prizes. You are all very much appreciated.
Easy Fundraising
Help us raise funds for Mindful Oak Sussex by signing up for free with Easyfundraising.
When you shop online with your favourite retailers and supermarkets, the retailers will give Mindful Oak Sussex a small percentage donation. It’s easy to do and you still benefit from all the usual deals and discounts.
Sign up by scanning the QR code or click here
We are delighted that Mindful Oak Sussex has been selected as one of the local causes which will be supported by the Co-op Community fund in 2025. Please help us by selecting Mindful Oak Sussex on the Co-op App as the cause you want to support.
Watch this short video to show you how to select us on the App.
Volunteering
Would you like to get involved and help out at our community events.? If you’ve a little free time and would like to give back to your local community supporting families living with Dementia and memory problems, please get in contact. Our volunteers have a big impact on our groups. Each person brings different skills and their own personality, which enriches the experience for our group members. It’s fun, rewarding and a wonderful way to meet new people from all walks of life.
