Students from Tallinn University, in cooperation with the NGO Elu Dementsusega (“Life with Dementia”), have organised a series of experience cafés aimed at supporting people affected by dementia and promoting greater awareness in Estonia.
Although experience cafés (often referred to internationally as memory cafés) are well established in many countries, they are still relatively uncommon in Estonia. At the same time, dementia and the need to support both people living with the condition and their caregivers are increasingly recognised. Initiatives of this kind offer opportunities to provide informal, community-based support alongside existing services.
The cafés were organised as part of the university’s ELU (Interdisciplinary Innovation) project, which brings together students from different academic fields to address social challenges collaboratively. In total, three experience cafés were held in Viimsi, Rae Municipality, and Keila. The aim was to provide people with dementia and their loved ones an opportunity to meet, share experiences, and reduce social isolation.
Students from disciplines including psychology, social work, journalism, youth work, and health management participated in the project. Working in cooperation with the NGO, they designed and implemented activities suitable for people with different needs and abilities. Prior to the events, students familiarised themselves with relevant research and practical approaches to ensure that the cafés would be accessible, supportive, and appropriate for participants.
Each café offered a programme of low-threshold activities designed to encourage engagement and interaction. These included games such as bingo, creative tasks, board games, and reminiscence-based activities using familiar objects and images. In some settings, a themed corner with vintage items was used to support conversation and recall. Participants were also offered refreshments, contributing to a relaxed and welcoming environment. In addition, some cafés included informal opportunities for relatives and caregivers to exchange experiences and receive practical information.
Participation numbers across the three events were modest. However, organisers observed that smaller group sizes supported a calm atmosphere and allowed for more individual interaction. The outcomes of the cafés were therefore reflected not only in attendance, but also in the quality of engagement and the opportunity for participants to connect with others in similar situations.
The project also contributed to the students’ learning experience by increasing their understanding of dementia and its impact on daily life. At the same time, it highlighted the role of community-based initiatives in complementing formal services and creating more inclusive social environments.
Overall, the experience cafés demonstrated that relatively small-scale initiatives can provide meaningful opportunities for social interaction, information-sharing, and mutual support for people affected by dementia and their families.
NGO Life with Dementia would like to thank Marten Sestverk for providing valuable input and an overview of the initiative.
