When Vivienne Benson-Hodge arrived at Community Expo, she already had an idea.
Through her role with the Milton Catholic Parish Community Outreach team, Vivienne knew she wanted to create something locally for people living with dementia and the people who care for them.
What she didn’t yet know was exactly what that something would look like.
Then, at Expo, she met Romny Vandoros.
Romney had recently moved to the area and stopped to speak with Vivienne. As they talked, she mentioned that she had previously worked with DCaf Connections in Sydney, a social café supporting people living with dementia and their carers.
For Vivienne, the timing felt remarkable.
“That was like pennies from heaven,” she said. “That was the beginning of our venture.”
The connection gave Vivienne and the team a model they could learn from. Romny contacted the Sydney group, who gave their blessing for the new Ulladulla group to use the DCaf Connections name, and the local team began adapting the idea for their own community.
Today, DCaf Connections Ulladulla brings together people living with dementia, their carers and volunteers on the first and third Wednesday of each month at Holy Family Church Hall in Ulladulla.
The free social café combines gentle exercise, activities, conversation and presentations from people in the community. Importantly, it also creates a space where carers can spend time together, share what they are experiencing and connect with information and support.
For Vivienne, some of the most powerful moments have been the smallest.
She recalls one man who came to the café with his wife and had barely spoken for months. During a visit from local artist Glenn Kilby, the two began talking while the artist drew his portrait.
“His wife was shocked,” Vivienne said. “She said, ‘He hasn’t spoken for months.’”
It was a simple interaction, but one that showed what can happen when people have opportunities to connect through conversation, creativity and shared interests.
The café also gives carers something that can be difficult to find: a place where they can relax knowing their loved one is comfortable and included.
Vivienne says some carers arrive simply needing someone to talk to. While participants take part in activities, carers can come together separately to talk about what they are experiencing, share knowledge and help one another find support.
As this passionate, dedicated group has grown, so has its reach. Local health professionals are now referring people to DCaf Connections, new participants continue to find the group, and the volunteers are increasingly looking at ways to support people who may face barriers to attending.
For Vivienne, seeing what has grown from that first conversation at Expo has been deeply rewarding.
“I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life, to start this,” she said.
And she has little doubt about the role Community Expo played in getting it off the ground.
“I don’t think we would be where we are today if we hadn’t gone to Expo.”
It’s a reminder that Community Expo isn’t only about discovering what already exists in our community.
Sometimes it’s where the next thing begins.
One conversation can connect someone with an idea, another person with experience, and a community need with people willing to do something about it.
For DCaf Connections Ulladulla, that conversation helped turn an idea into a growing local community.
DCaf Connections Ulladulla meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 10am at Holy Family Church Hall, 65 St Vincent Street, Ulladulla. The café is free and welcomes people experiencing memory loss, their carers and loved ones.