Dust off your dance shoes and join our massive national dance-athon fundraiser this September for Dementia Awareness Month!
Every dance move helps Umbrella Dementia Cafes establish more vital community supports for people living with dementia.
Let’s dance together to fight against dementia!
OUR VISION / MISSION STATEMENT
Building a future where every Australian living with dementia has access to inclusive, community social groups that champion choice, connection, awareness and understanding
Cover photo: Burwood Chatworks Volunteers Team
The Brolly is designed and printed by our friends at Pressroom Partners, thanks to the support of our funding partner The Phil Taylor Foundation.
CONTENTS
P4 One Café Every Community
P5 Check Out Our New Website
P6 Umbrella Café Blackburn
P8 Café of Connections Box Hill South
P10 Burwood Chatworks
P12 Friendship Café Capel Sounds
P14 Navigator Café Sorrento
P16 Expand Our Support
P17 The Care & Share Program
P18 Whitehorse Dementia Awareness Event
P19 Bridging the Isolation Gap
P20 Celebrations - 2024 to 2025
P21 Dance Against Dementia
P22 When Is The Right Time?
P23 Reforms To Aged Care
Acknowledgement of Country:
Umbrella Dementia Cafés meets on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and the Boon Wurrung (Bunurong) people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which our cafés meet. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Bec, Lesley & Faye
Gifting Brain Training Boxes in Sorrento
Special MILESTONES
Welcome to this very special summer edition, filled with stories from all five cafés. Inside, you’ll find exciting updates on our projects and terrific outcomes from our fundraising activities.
After celebrating our 1,000th café on the 5th of August, and as we enter our tenth year, I find myself reflecting on all the brave and inspiring families who’ve been a part of UDC’s story. While this 10-year journey has been deeply personal, it has only been possible because of our members’ trust, the unwavering support of our volunteers, and the enduring commitment of our longstanding community partners.
Our 2026 is our exploratory year. We are collaborating with leading voices in the carer support sector to find a way to amplify our impact nationally. While extending our reach, we will protect the heart of UDC - a space grounded in genuine human connection.
I am honoured to lead UDC into this exciting new chapter. I am proud to share this edition and hope you too enjoy our stories of friendship and love.
- Kirsty Porter | CEO & Founder
the 24th of September 2025, I was quite unexpectedly inducted as a Paul
Thank you, Chris Porter
On behalf of my fellow Board members Andrew Webster and Olive Aumann, we’d like to recognise Chris Porter’s selfless dedication, serving on Umbrella Dementia Cafes’ Board of Director’s for 9 years! As a founding member, Chris was instrumental in building UDC from an idea into a vital community service it is today. A governance dynamo behind the scenes, Chris will continue supporting the Board as our interim Secretary and our very-patient ‘IT Guy’. We are deeply grateful for his contribution and the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind.
I couldn’t have done it with out him. With enormous love and gratitude, thank you Chris. - Kirsty
Receiving this recognition is a deeply felt honour, as this award is one of the highest global honours granted by Rotary International, acknowledging individuals who embody the organisation’s core value of “Service Above Self” through community leadership. I am truly humbled and proud to receive this globally recognised distinction.
WELCOME TO THE 2026 SUMMER EDITION
A NEW PAUL HARRIS FELLOW
On
Harris Fellow on by our friends at the Box Hill Central Rotary Club, Brian McPhail, Wendy Zhang, Gay Morris, Malcolm Chiverton, Reg Ellery and Olive Aumann.
Brian, Kirsty & Wendy
UDC ABOUT TOWN
UDC partnered with the Whitehorse Film Society and the Whitehorse Council’s Positive Ageing team to host a free mid-morning dementia-friendly film. The screening of the 1952 classic Singin’ in the Rain was sold out, and feedback from attendees encouraged more inclusive films offered in 2026.
Our CEO, Kirsty Porter, has been busy engaging with wonderful local community groups, discussing dementia awareness and how to get involved. Recently, Kirsty spoke at Syndal Baptist Church, the Box Hill/Mitcham VIEW Club, and Rotary Clubs in Chelsea, Emerald & District and Nunawading. We are thrilled that Rotary Nunawading is now supporting Burwood Chatworks, while Emerald & District are preparing to launch their own dementia café in 2026!
CELEBRATING 1,000 CAFÉS
From a single idea in 2016 to a thriving network, we were proud to celebrate our 1,000th dementia café on the 5th August! Celebrating at the Blackburn Cafe, where it all began, was a fitting way to mark our milestone.
What started as a ‘one-off’ event has grown into a powerhouse of support for over 1,600 families and counting as we move into our 10th year! Today our cafes are fuelled by 54 committed volunteers, over 30 dedicated partners and a community that believes social connection is EVERYTHING. Together, we’ll continue advocating for even more inclusive and accessible dementia-friendly community support groups around Australia.
Gillian - WCC Positive Ageing Team
Janette, Kirsty & Shia - RC Nunawading
Kirsty, Marg, Sandra & Jo
Dementia Cafés and counting!
Making A DIFFERENCE
What do you get when you mix great comedy and a fantastic cause? An unforgettable night at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron with a fantastic lineup of comedians from “Comedy for A Cause”.
Over 70 members, volunteers, families and friends from the Mornington Peninsula filled the room with laughter and good vibes as we came together for an evening of fun and fundraising. From start to finish, the room buzzed with energy – and by the end of the night, that joy translated into an incredible amount, over $6000 raised for our Peninsula Cafes.
A huge thank you to Point Nepean Men’s Shed for hosting the event, in particular Terry Phippen and Colleen Mackay, whose planning, organisation and hard work made the night such a success.
Thanks also for the generous support of our sponsors, Community Bank Southern Peninsula and Car City. Your contributions helped make this event shine – and your community spirit is deeply appreciated.
On November 28th, 2025, Beau Pinsent took on one of Australia’s toughest endurance challenges: the Mt. Kosciusko 100 Ultra Marathon, a gruelling 107km mountain run he completed in 19 hours and 3 minutes.
Beau ran in honour of his late father, Raymond, who battled Alzheimer’s and cancer. In his memory, he raised over $7,200 for Umbrella Dementia Cafes and The Man Cave, which was split equally between the two charities.
A truly inspiring effort from an incredibly determined and passionate individual, we’d like to recognise Beau for his integrity, courage and care. We look forward to hosting Beau at one of our Cafes in 2026.
Thank you Beau.
SUPPORT YOUR WAY
We are excited to share our new online donation hub, designed to simplify how you support our mission. With options to donate directly to a local Umbrella Dementia Cafe, give regularly, or create a memorial tribute, you can now support UDC in a way that feels right for you.
VISIT: umbrelladementiacafes.com.au/fundraising-donations to help UDC continue building a future of choice and connection for families living with dementia.
Across Australia, passionate groups joined the cause, dancing in unison to make a positive difference for people living with dementia and their families. These events remind us of what makes UDC special: laughter, connection and giving back—UDC style!
Together Dance Against Dementia raised $22,560 during 2025’s Dementia Awareness Month, with a special focus on brain health awareness and dementia prevention.
A special thank you to the national fundraising teams pictured, who selflessly donated their time and efforts, inspiring whole communities about healthy brains and dementia awareness. A special thank you to the Webster family, the Central Coast Rockers, the Just Love to Dance crew in Port Lincoln and the Victorian Estia Health Aged Care centres, who made a HUGE impact during Dance Against Dementia in September.
19.09.26
Mark your calendars for Saturday, 19th September 2026! Umbrella Dementia Cafés is thrilled to host our own Dance Against Dementia event.
We are returning to the Box Hill Town Hall to kick up our heels and raise much-needed funds to support our Cafes in 2027! You won’t want to miss it!
No Lights No Lycra Warrandyte
Camden Seniors Movement Group
Estia Health Glen Waverley
Long Jetty Volunteers
Umbrella Café BLACKBURN
BY SPENCER MORONEY | Cafe Facilitator
The sense of connection and warmth at our Blackburn café is something you can’t fully understand until you walk through those doors. The room, decorated by our amazing volunteers, welcomes you in for a cup of tea with old friends and the chance to make new ones.
Over the past few weeks, we have enjoyed so many wonderful celebrations. One highlight for me was the Movie café, where characters from Charlie Chaplin to Audrey Hepburn filled the room with laughter and film quotes. The songs that echo through each café have quickly become beloved favourite; you can always count on hearing John singing along to Sweet Caroline or both Pats getting their groove on.
Our AFL Grand Final inspired café was another standout, with everyone dressed in their team colours. Joe proudly took home the prize for our annual footy tipping competition.
Although I only started as a Facilitator at the beginning of the year it already feels like I have belonged here all my life.
From Graham’s beautiful piano playing to the warm, radiant notes of our theme song “You Are My Sunshine”, the music fills every café with joy. You leave each café with a buzz and that’s what makes this place so truly special.
One Church, 184 Surrey Road, Blackburn
CAFÉ SCHEDULE
February – December: Meet every 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month, 10am – 12noon
You leave each Cafe with a buzz and that’s what makes this place so truly special.
Umbrella Café, Blackburn is proudly supported by
Contact us to support Umbrella Café, Blackburn in 2026
We were saddened to hear of Bob’s peaceful passing in March 2025, and remember fondly Bob’s competitive spirit and willingness to give anything a go. Bob and his wife, Judy, joined the Blackburn North Koonung Cafe in 2018 as founding members, and formed lifelong friends within the group.
In early 2024, Bob and Judy joined the Umbrella Café, Blackburn when Koonung moved to Burwood, reconnecting with some familiar faces as well as making new friends. Bob, an environmental engineer was instrumental in the preservation of wildlife corridors and the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary when the Eastern Freeway was built in the 1970’s. Our deepest condolence to our friend Judy and the Wright family.
Bob & Judy Wright
VALE - BOB WRIGHT _ 1929 – 2025
It is with enormous sadness that we announce the passing of our dear, gentle friend, Betty Rooney, who passed away on 13th January. Betty and husband Keith were founding members of our first café in Blackburn, attending from 2016 until early 2024. The Rooney’s were instrumental in the establishment of UDC, providing foundational support that helped us become who we are today. Loved by all, Betty was a steadfast changemaker and a dedicated community leader. As Lady Mayoress in the 1960s, she was a force of nature, instrumental in the fundraising and establishment of the Larch St Kindergarten, two Lions Clubs, Koonung Park Tennis Club, Blackburn Football Club, an arts festival, a Women’s Refuge, a Benevolent Society and the Eastern Emergency Relief Network! Betty’s generational legacy is truly the stuff of legends, and she will be missed enormously.
Spencer Hosting A Movie Cafe.
Donna, Pat & Marg
Kay, Ralph & Pat
Betty & Keith Rooney
VALE – BETTY ROONEY _ 1933 – 2026
Christmas Celebrations
Rhonda & John
Café ºf Connections
BOX HILL SOUTH
By SPENCER MORONEY | Cafe Facilitator
There’s something quietly special about our Cafe of Connections in Box Hill South. A feeling you only really understand once you’re inside, greeted by warm smiles and the gentle hum of conversation. Our volunteers put such care into the space, each making it feel as inviting as a second home, where everyone is welcome to settle in with a cuppa and good company.
We’ve had a lively run of themed days in recent months, each one adding its own flavour to the atmosphere. The Spring Carnival, bingo and the AFL Grand Final cafés bring out everyone’s competitive streak, with friendly banter flying back and forth across the tables.
Our Christmas Cafe is always a much anticipated event, with so many ‘House’ members helping us decorate the rooms. I am so excited to see what Café of Connections holds in store in 2026. I only started as a Facilitator in August, but the group welcomed me with extraordinary warmth and kindness. With a dining room, a kitchen and a lounge room at our disposal, Cafe of Connections welldefined culture of support, closeness and community, feels like we’re all just hanging out at one of our homes.
A FOND FAREWELL TO JANE KING
We sadly say farewell and thank you to our dear and much-loved friend Jane King, who stepped back as a Café Facilitator in August due to growing family commitments.
Box Hill South Neighbourhood House, 49 Kitchener Street, Box Hill South
CAFÉ SCHEDULE
February – December: Meet every 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month, 10am – 12noon
Café of Connections is proudly supported by
Contact us to support Café of Connections in 2026.
Jane was the heartbeat of our ‘Connections’ crew and was unofficially crowned the Café Activities Queen for her ingenious café programs.
Jane - Pin The Hair On The Movie Star
Golf Pinata
Volunteer Celebrations
Paul & Neil
Elizabeth & Joanne
Spring Racing Carnival Fun
Bob, Peggy & Elizabeth
BURWOOD
Chatworks
By JESS CONLEY | Café Facilitator
With renewed vigour, Burwood Chatworks entered its second year, welcoming some new faces and lots of new ideas for our 2025 program. Our ‘Chatworks’ crew LOVE a themed café, with two standouts; Spring Carnival and our “inaugural” Italian-themed café, which included a joyful rendition of “That’s Amore” that inspired tears of joy and connection.
We have been incredibly fortunate our friends at Rotary Club Nunawading committed to providing our delicious afternoon tea each fortnight this year, with freshly baked goods in line with our program theme.
Chatworks played host to the Whitehorse Whirlwinds Dance Against Dementia multigenerational event in September, where we opened the doors of the Hollows Room and extended out to the spacious mezzanine at Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre. Over 50 people enjoyed afternoon tea, dancing, singing and a very highly competitive silent auction, together raising over $2000! A special thank you to Dance Therapist Lisa Koba from Lets Taps, Priscilla from Inner Cocoon Yoga and the incredible retailers who donated towards the raffle - Aron’s Butchers, Biome, Dan Murphy’s Burwood East & Forest Hill, Inner Cocoon, Hallmark Blackburn North, Hoyts Forest Hill, Woolworths Blackburn North, Royal Australian Ballet and our friends at Style Bundle.
A very special mention to our enthusiastic, committed volunteers at Chatworks, who have supported me and our members this year. You are the true heartbeat of our café!
Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre, The Hollows, Level 1 70 Middleborough Rd, Burwood East
CAFÉ SCHEDULE
February – December: Meet every 2nd & 4th Wednesday each month, 1.30 – 3.30pm
Together, we raised over $2000!
Chatworks Burwood is proudly supported by
Please get in touch if you’d like to support Burwood Chatworks in 2026
Our dear friend, Dan Chairul passed in November, with his beloved wife Ley by his side. Dan, a competitive tennis player, was a gentle soul and very clever man, playing chess until 2024.
For Ley and Dan, the Umbrella Dementia Cafes was a community they built. They were one of the five founding members at the Koonung Cafe in Blackburn North in March 2018. Their commitment was unwavering, and when it was time for the Koonung Cafe to move to the Burwood in March 2024, Ley and Dan became founding members once again, helping new and nervous members feel welcome and safe. Our sincerest condolence to his beautiful wife, Ley.
Dan Chairul & wife Ley
VALE - DANIEL CHAIRUL
The Two Pete’s
Dance Against Dementia
Fashions On The Field
Chatworks Volunteers
Norma & Don - “That’s Amore”
Friendship Café
CAPEL SOUNDS
By COLLEEN MACKAY | Café Facilitator
The Friendship Café certainly lived up to its name this year, with even more couples joining us each fortnight to share in the laughter, conversation and fun.
Our four legged visitors became honorary members of the group, and they never fail to brighten the room. Frankie—Val’s delightful little pup—quickly became everyone’s favourite, greeting us with her ever wagging tail and happily soaking up cuddles from Pauline, Faye, and anyone else lucky enough to get a turn. Soon after, Bruce introduced his tiny kitten, Tige, who brought an extra dose of sweetness.
Creative chaos took over on our tangram days, with Ian, Frank and Linda crafting colourful shapes while Peter, Susan and Evelyn attempted to return them to neat squares. The puzzle caused plenty of head scratching and even more giggles—but yes, we succeeded!
Mid year, Santa made a surprise “Christmas in July” appearance. Bruce and his cheeky ‘fairy’ sidekick Annie dressed the part, giving us all a challenge trying to perch on Santa’s lap without toppling over. Thankfully, our landscape paintings had already dried!
Our hugs, warmth and genuine care for one another make every gathering special—and we look forward to many more smiles together.
Seawinds Community Hub, 11A Allambi Ave, Capel Sound
CAFÉ SCHEDULE
February – December: Meet every 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month, 10am – 12noon
Friendship Café is proudly supported by
Please
Sadly, our Tony lost his battle with dementia and passed peacefully- leaving a bereft Marilyn to pick up the pieces. Once a Friendship always a Friendship member and we welcome Marilyn into our arms any time she needs our hugs or reminders of Tony playing the drums, dressing up in crazy hats and laughing at his dreadful dad jokes!
A dear man whose cheeky smile will be enormously missed. Deepest condolences to Marilyn and his dear children.
Tony and Marilyn O’Brien
VALE - TONY O’BRIEN
Friendship Volunteer Team
Nikki & Santa
Frank & Evelyn
Their Majesties, Bruce & Annie
Teamwork! Preparing for Xmas
Navigator Café
SORRENTO
By COLLEEN MACKAY | Café Facilitator
They say a change is as good as a holiday—and we discovered that with The Hangar, we can be on holiday all the time! As our Navigator group continued to grow, we outgrew the lovely Sorrento Community Centre and needed a bigger space. Thanks to the wonderful team-up between the Portsea and Sorrento Men’s Shed Association, we found our new home overlooking grassy views of the bay, complete with fresh salt air that makes every gathering feel like a seaside escape. The move has spearheaded the opportunity to support twice as many couples experiencing dementia on the Mornington Peninsula!
The extra space has brought extra fun: a pinball machine, room to dance, and tables filled with creative projects. Frank stepped naturally into the role of Musical Director, leading us through poems and songs from his youth. Claudio added flair with his rich baritone, often slipping into Italian renditions—That’s Amore quickly became a crowd favourite, with Ernie dramatically playing the lovestruck Romeo!
Flinders, Ivan’s beautiful dog, was another highlight, happily accepting pats and the occasional sneaky treat from Claudio. John loved taking him for grassy strolls— perhaps a little too much!
From Derek and Barry’s tessellation triumphs to Bob, Annie and Karl’s charming teacup cacti creations, we are a joyful bunch who laugh, tease, support and celebrate one another as we navigate life together.
Navigator Café is proudly supported by
Sorrento Community Centre, 860-868 Melbourne Rd, Sorrento
CAFÉ SCHEDULE
February – December: Meet every 1st & 3rd Monday each month, 10am – 12noon
“We’re a joyful bunch who laugh, tease, support and celebrate one another”
Please get in touch if you’d like to support the Navigator Café in 2026 A creative & joyful project
Colleen, John & Claudio
Anne and Jules making christmas bon bons
King Ivan
Colleen, Jess & Terry
Cafe at The Hanger, Sorrento
Celebrating OUR VOLUNTEERS
CELEBRATING THE HEART OF OUR CAFES |
By Jess Conley
We simply could not run our Cafes without the support, ideas and empathy of our incredible volunteer team. In 2025 alone, our 53 strong volunteer team donated over 22,000 hours to support 75 families who visited our dementia cafés.
If anyone has ever wondered why our volunteer teams are so strong; we gather after every cafe to acknowledge each other’s efforts and come up with new ideas about how we can better support our members. This is by far our secret sauce - strengthening our commitment and bond to each other.
Throughout the year we also connect through regular luncheons, professional development days and the odd celebratory lunch or drink at the ‘local’.
Highlights this year included a self-care session with Hannah Gordon from Next Door Counselling for our Friendship and Navigator Café teams, while the Burwood Chatworks team took to the skies for a joyful aerial yoga class with Priscilla Neow. This was a hilarious and truly bond experience to say the least! Prioritising safety, we also hosted Falls Prevention workshops with Community Therapy Learning, which will inform our 2026 Action Plan.
To our volunteers, thank you for an incredible year. Week after week, you show up with selfless dedication, offering support, companionship and understanding. Your lived experiences bring a depth and empathy to our cafés, creating spaces that feel safe, warm and deeply human. We are honoured to walk alongside you, privileged to be part of you journey and grateful for the trust you place in us.
22,000 hours
Donated by our volunteers in 2025!
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
- Helen Keller
Jenny, Sally & Carol - Chatworks
Peninsula Volunteer Training Day
Melbourne Volunteer Training Day
Expand OUR SUPPORT
A NEW DEMENTIA CAFE IN EMERALD, VICTORIA
We are thrilled to announce this year, a new Affiliate Umbrella Dementia Café will open in Emerald, Victoria. Leading this exciting project is Rotarian Kris Ash, supported by her fellow members at the Rotary Club of Emerald and District.
Their café program is entirely powered by a Rotarian volunteer team, many of whom have already visited our cafés. Between February and March, Kirsty Porter and Kris will train the volunteer team combining a commissioned course with Dementia Training Australia’s and UDC’s brand-new online learning portal, complete with new training videos and café resources. This innovative UDC learning tool was a collaborative effort between Kirsty Porter and Susan Su at Suspire Digital and funded through our Community Bank Blackburn South 20th Anniversary Community Grant.
This launch is a significant milestone towards our national growth strategy. By partnering with community service groups and community banks, we can increase our reach while ensuring local dementia café programs remain sustainable and community led. We eagerly look forward to collaborating with Rotary Club Emerald & District and wish them every success as they begin to engage their community members living with dementia, and welcome new community partners.
We have launched a new National Dementia Café Directory on our website, listing other dementia cafes who are like-minded, community-led and independently run dementia cafés.
Do you, or do you know of someone who runs a dementia café and who wants to be including on the directory, please email Kirsty at: enquiries@umbrelladementiacafes.com.au
A NEW DEMENTIA CAFÉ DIRECTORY
the QR code to watch
The Emerald & District crew
The Care & Share PROGRAM
CARERS SUPPORT PROJECT WITH AMCS | By
Ann Breteler
In partnership with Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS), we piloted a new approach to our Care & Share Program.
The aim of the project was simple and meaningful - help people living with dementia to remain at home for as long as possible through strengthening the wellbeing, knowledge and confidence of their family carers who support them every day.
During Care & Share, each of our Umbrella Dementia Cafes’ welcomed five guest-speakers, who provided practical information and education, community services and wellbeing strategies to family carers. The pilot was deemed a success, with many requesting we invite guest speakers to return to our Care & Share Program in 2026.
Thank you to our experts who visited our cafes:
Hannah Gordon - Next Door Counselling and Consultation
Rebecca Heine, OT - Dementia Resilience
Hannah Moran - United Physio Group
Debra Coddington - healthAbility
Paul Edwards - After-Care
Lani Peach - Peninsula Community Health
Dean Walton - Dept Health & Aged Care
Eden & Armandeep - Services Australia
Dr. Luke Smith - Smith Neuro Psychology
Rosanna & Judy - Carer Gateway
Anita Koochew - Eastern Community Legal Centre
Monique - Dementia Support Australia 4.5 / 5
Carers who attended the program rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars
&
Jess Conley
“I wish to express my gratitude to the Care & Share program. We thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to share such concerns amongst our fellow attendees. It is quite personal sometimes but other times we can have a great laugh knowing what’s shared in the room stays in the room.”
Armadeep from Services Australia
Care & Share Chatworks
BERNADETTE – Burwood Chatworks
Awareness
& ADVOCACY
CARER RECOGNITION
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022), 102,000 people reported being a carer of a family member with dementia. But the Aust. Institute of Health & Welfare (2025) estimates this number should be 2.65 million.
The latest thinking from the 2024 Carers Wellbeing Survey is that many people actually don't recognise themselves as 'carers' - rather a husband, wife, daughter or son primarilyand rightly so.
Carer Gateway is a Commonwealth funded program providing practical, day-to-day assistance through DSS funded Tailored Support Packages. Once registered, they become your referral ‘gateway’ to reputable local support organisations. In Victoria, the Carer Gateway Program is delivered by Holstep who work directly with 8 other organisations (incl. Uniting VicTas & Alfreds Health) to support all Victorian carers. Together they provide on-the-ground support.
Annual Support: Funding for practical needs such as planned or emergency respite, transport services, domestic assistance and personal care for the person you care for.
One-off Support: Assistance for your own education or employment goals, such as purchasing a laptop or funding a training course.
To register: contact 1800 422 737 or request a call back on their website www.carergateway.gov.au.
Few will be surprised to learn that this latest Survey opened a fiscal can of worms in Canberra and indicated a significantly under-funded and missunderstood cohort of Australians.
Following our recent Care & Share project, two care organisations proactive in addressing this issue and have stood out as invaluable resources to many of our café members; Carer Gateway and Carers Victoria. When the time is right for you, we highly recommend registering with both support organisations.
Carers Victoria is the Victorian peak body for carers support, are largely funded through the Victorian State Government and Dept of Health & Aged Care, act as the leading voice to advocate for better carer recognition and resources. They focus on empowering carers through knowledge.
Expert Advice: The Statewide Carer Advisory Service provides guidance on government support and navigating complex systems.
Free Education: They deliver evidence-based workshops on vital topics including legal and financial skills, mental health, aged care, and disability support.
To register: contact 1800 514 845 or search for resources at www.carersvictoria.org.au.
Major Film Event
CARELESS
OUR CAFÉ ON SCREEN |
By Jess Conley
We are proud to share that our Burwood Chatworks Café played a special role in the acclaimed documentary Careless (2025), directed, written and produced by Sue Thompson. Sue approached us in November 2024 to be part of her documentary about the state of our aged care system, and we naturally jumped on board. Welcomed by our Chatworks crew, Sue lovingly captured our café connections and conversations that make our café so special.
The documentary premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) in August 2025, where it won the coveted MIFF Audience Award for Most Popular Film. This recognition reflects how deeply Careless resonated with audiences, shining a spotlight on the importance of community and resilience in shared spaces.
For us, being featured in Careless was more than just an exciting opportunity—it was a chance to showcase the welcoming atmosphere we strive to create. Seeing our UDC essence captured on the big screen, and celebrated by massive audiences, is something we’ll cherish for years to come.
We’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sue, Adam and her team on their remarkable, award-winning documentary, and we’re so grateful to have been included in such a meaningful project. Keep an eye out for future screenings—you might just spot a few familiar faces from UDC on the big screen!
STAY UP TO DATE ON LOCAL SCREENINGS:
Over the next two months, UDC is hosting two private screenings of Careless in Whitehorse and on the Peninsula. If you want to be kept in the loop for screening dates and receive an invite, please email Jess. Jess@Umbrelladementiacafes.com.au
Watch the Trailer
One Café
EVERY COMMUNITY
GET BEHIND UMBRELLA DEMENTIA CAFES
Across Australia, a significant challenge for individuals living with dementia and their care partners is the scarcity of accessible and inclusive social groups. This lack of connection can lead to profound feelings of isolation and loneliness.
At Umbrella Dementia Cafes, our mission directly addresses this critical need. We amplify the voices of people living with dementia by creating supportive, welcoming social environments where genuine connection flourishes for both individuals and their care partners. Our success lies in creating spaces where both feel seen, heard and truly connected within the group.
LOCAL FUNDING
All our dementia cafes are purposefully funded by local organisations and localised fundraising efforts, ensuring that every dollar is directed towards their local café, allowing us to build stronger, sustainable and community driven dementia cafes.
When local partners fund our cafes, they aren’t just writing a cheque; they are unlocking the heartbeat of our whole dementia café community. Their support allows us to turn a small amount of funding into thousands of hours of volunteer support, training, program develop and build a safe meeting place for our members. Special recognition goes to Rotary Club Box Hill Central who have supported their local Box Hill South dementia cafe, since 2019, and simply wouldn’t exist without their continued support.
Thank you to our growing network of impact partners who are directly helping us build a future where every Australian living with dementia and their family have access to inclusive, community social groups.
• Australian Multicultural Community Services
• Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre
• Car City
• Carers Victoria
• CommBank Employee Foundation
• Community Bank Blackburn South
• Community Bank Southern Peninsula
• Frasers Property Australia
• Gahan/Duff Fund
• The Felton Bequest
• The Phil Taylor Foundation
• The Wicking Trust
• Tobin Brothers Funerals
• Whitehorse City Council
• Whitehorse Community Enterprise Ltd
If you or your organisation would like to become a funding partner, please email our CEO, Kirsty, Kirsty@umbrelladementiacafes.com.au.
Wendy, Andrew, Denise and Julian - RC Box Hill Central
Quick National Help Numbers
Service Contact Description
National Dementia Help Line
Federally funded and operated by Dementia Australia
The National Dementia Helpline is a free confidential phone and email information and support service which provides information about dementia and memory loss, dementia risk & prevention, government support & local services and emotional support.
Clinical support for people caring for someone with dementia who is demonstrating behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which are impacting on their care. Their role includes education, assessment and short-term case management, clinical supervision and monitoring, and modelling of behavioural management techniques.
Carers Victoria is the state-wide voice for family carers, representing and providing support to carers in Victoria. Carers Victoria staff will listen and advise you on services available to assist you in your caring role. They can give you information about practical supports, offer advice about navigating systems and refer you to education and counselling sessions.
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis and suicide prevention services. (The statistics for suicidal & homicidal thoughts are very high for people in a caring role).
My Aged Care is the government agency to receive federally funded aged care packages. You must register with My Aged Care before you are eligible to receive aged care benefits.
Provides phone counselling, an online peer support community forum, online skills courses and free publications, carer support planning, carer directed packages, emergency respite care, in person peer support, counselling and carer coaching.
