STAFF at a shop in Wellington have chosen to lend their support to a town-based charity this year.

The Emporium Somerset in Mantle Street has selected Reminiscence Learning, which specialises in dementia care, reminiscence, activities and life story work, as its charity of the year.

Reminiscence Learning manager Emma Green said: “The funds raised will help us ensure the continuation of our fun and inclusive community sessions for the older person, those with memory problems or dementia and their carers.

“These sessions currently run twice a week in Wellington, with something to suit all, from our Memory Cafe to themed reminiscence and our new Joy of Song and Dance.”

Reminiscence Learning offers a wide range of community projects from music and memories with live performances from musicians to themed reminiscence, making use of its extensive library of props and memorabilia.

Its ‘activity angels’ visit care homes and day centres to deliver bespoke activity sessions designed to suit individual’s needs with opportunities for group engagement as well as one -to-one interaction.

It also delivers training for health care professionals, family carers, volunteers, businesses and services.

The charity has also created and delivered the multi-award-winning inter-generational dementia awareness Archie Project, which links primary schools, care homes, sheltered housing schemes, businesses/services and community members to ultimately reduce the fear and stigma often associated with dementia and create more dementia friendly communities.

Cato Cooper, co-owner of The Emporium Somerset, said: “We’ll be raising money during the various events we hold throughout the year, including our late night shopping evenings, and we will also have collection tins at our till point for anyone to drop their coins into.

 “Our customers are extremely generous people and we hope to raise lots of funds for the charity to help towards the great work it does.”