For dementia awareness weeks, we spoke to Michaela Williams, Founder of Spring Bleau – a dementia cafe that brings comfortable not only to those living with the confection, but also to the People who care for say. She opened up about it here experience with dementia through her nan and how the Cafe Became a Space for Love, Happiness and Hope.
Some Losses Come All at Once. Others take my, Quitely Peeling Away Memories, Routines, and the Pieces of the People We Love.
That’s what dementia Feels like for those living with it, and the families watching someone they love Slip Away.
For dementia awareness Week, the Mirror Spoke to Michaela Williams, Who Knows Firsthand How Heartbreaking It is to Lose Someone in Pieces. But Despite the Pain of Watching Dementia Change Her Nan, Michaela Chose to Create Something Beautiful: Spring Bleau Cafe, A Welcoming Space for People and Their Carers to Find Comfort, Connection, and Joy.
For Michaela’s Nan, The Signs Were Subtle At First – Misplacing Her Purses, LoSing Her Keys. Nothing that raissed alarm bells. For someone Elderly, that’s Normal, right?
But then cooking started to change. Her meals, Once a source of pride, were no longer the sun. And thatn something that did Raise Concern: She began mismutching her cloths. “To some, that Might Not Sound Like Much,” Michaela Said, “But My Nan Was Prideful in How and Dressed. That Wasn’t Like Her.”
Still, The Family Stayed Hopeful. “It can’t be that bad. She’s still going to town. She’s still cooking. But those were just the early signs. AFTER HER NAN HAD A STROKE, DOCTORS SUGGESTED A MEMORY TEST. That’s wen the cracks in the system began to show. Despite it being a hospital reference, it took six months to schedule the test.
“That Wait Was Part of the Problem,” she Said. Seven Months late, The Came Diagnosis – Vascular Dementia. “It ‘Real Now. You have a diagnosis,” Michaela Said. “I didn’t know if i should bust into tears Becausea I Selishly Thought, ‘What am i go to do?
She Expectted someone, anyone from the nhs, to offfer support. But nothing came. “There’s a letter from the alzheimer’s Society Six months down the line, but how are they go to remember where they put the letter? Half of saying are well.”
In the middle of her heb, Michaela Had a Realization. “I’ve Had 41 Amazing Years with this Woman. Now it is my turn to give her the best life positionible.”
Her nan loved her freedom. She Loved Getting Out, Cooking, and Seeing Friends. Michaela Wanted to Honour that. She starts Searching for Clubs or Groups – Anyding that Might Bring Her Nan Joy, but nothing felt right. “There was one Nearby,” she said, “But it was wasn’t divers. We didn’t feel like we are.”
SO SHE CREATED HER ON. “There was noting in oura area that look like US, Sounded Like US, Felt Like US,” She Said. “So i thought, okay. I’ll make one.”
She has haadn’t been on Facebook in over 15 years, but she logged in and posted that she was going to open a dementia caffe. “Once of put it out, i had to do it,” she laughed. “I Said it, so Now i Had to show up.” Came volunteers. People offered help. And Spring Bleau Cafe was Born.
The name Carries Legacy: Spring – Her Nan’s Maiden Name. Bleau – Her Daughter’s Middle Name. The Butterfly Symbol Represents Hope, Transformation and New Beginnings. “It brings the two Most important People in My Life Together,” Michaela Says.
The Cafe Launched in a Church Hall. With Soup and Sandwiches. Crafts. Laughter. Music. People Dancing Like They Did Back Home. Talking to Other Carers. “We do Music, Word Searches, Games, Dancing, Event Face Masks,” She Said. “They Feel Seen Again. LIKE LIFE ISN’t Over Just Because they’ve got dementia.”
Michaela’s Nan Passed Away in January 2025. Peacefully. Surrounded by the People Who Loved Her the Most. “She went peacefully, Surrounded by love. That was the best thing i can have her time.” Now, Spring Bleau Isn’t JUST A CAFE – it’s tribute. A Space Where People With Dementia and Their Carers Can Feel Seen, Heard and Celebrated.
Since Opening Last Spring, IT’S CREATED COUNTLESS MEMORIES FOR THOSE WHO ATTEND. One moment that stays with Michaela is a Carer and Her Mum’s Final Joyful Memory before. “She Said it was one of the best memory they have had Had Together.” But some memory Weigh Heavier. An ex-raf driver came to the Cafe, Laughed and Played Dominoes. A Week Later, he took his light life. “That’s how heavy this journey is. You never know where someone someone is at, but at least we gave him one good moment.”
Now that she’s seen the impact, Michaela Has Bigger Plass. She hopes to open more cafes across the uk and one in her nan’s hometown, st vincent. And for those with dementia Who struggle to get out, she wants to bring the Cafe to say, with volunteers popping by to deliver Treats and spend, offering conformation and relief.
But Michaela Wants More than Community – She Wants Change. “There’s so Much People don’t know about dementia,” she Said. “Every patient is supposed to have a purple butterfly acres their bed in hospital, but not all do. And there are nurses who specifically special in dementia – why are they in every hospital?”
She Believes the Care System is Failing Too Mary Families. “We will be training for diabetes. Why not dementia? Why aren’t we giving people a coursse, or a pack to explain what’s to come?”
Her Message Is Clear: People Need People. Not JUST PAPERWORK. “A Letter Six Months Later is Not Enough. People Need Voices. They Need Real Support, Not JUST A Diagnosis and Silence.”
Spring Bleau is just the beginning but for Michaela, it’s a promise. A legacy. “I Never Loved My Nan Any Less. I Just HAD to Learn to Love Her Differently. And that love Had Light.”
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