Proud to be dementia friendly - Inspiring women at our monthly tea parties

Every month we welcome individual guests and folks from care homes and community groups to our informal tea parties at the Festival Theatre. The music – provided by our partnership with Live Music Now - is light and spirited, with exceptional young musicians playing everything from folk, jazz and traditional Scottish song. There’s always a spot of dancing, and for those happy to sit at their seats and tap their feet along to the music, there’s tea and cake and lots of chat.

Many of the guests to the monthly sessions are regulars. Maxine Regan, Community Champion for Tescos in Penicuik and Sandra Brown have been coming along since the sessions started back in 2016. Together, Maxine and Sandra lead the small community group, ‘Voices To Be Heard’ based at Penicuik Library.

When Penicuik Library was under threat of closure last year, they led the fight to keep it open for the countless community groups it provides a lifeline for. Their own group represents Midlothian couples and individuals living with dementia. They meet weekly Mondays, and travel to the Festival Theatre every fourth Monday for the Tea Party.

Sandra’s husband Jim is living with dementia. He loves the music at the tea parties and for Sandra, their experience and enjoyment of the monthly sessions is a shared one. ‘It gets us out of the house, and we’re meeting people in the same situation as us. We love the lively atmosphere, and the tea and cake is a bonus!. And the staff just make it – they are always so welcoming and friendly’.

At £2 a head, the price is right too. ‘You wouldn’t get anything else for that kind of money!’ laughs Sandra.

Call 0131 529 600 to book tickets.  £2 per person. Car parking can be booked by calling Stage Door on 0131 662 1112. The next tea parties are Mon 18 February and Mon 18 March.