Angi is bringing hope and support to people living with dementia

The teenage sweethearts who married at 18 and had brought up three children found established friendships were changing and people they regularly socialised with did not understand the condition.

"He (Michael) loved being the light and soul of a party, and he loved interactions with friends and family, and that was changing," said Angi.

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"He was becoming withdrawn and his confidence was going.

"Looking back now, I realise the sometimes out-of-character acts, forgetfulness and odd behaviours were not stress or tell-tale signs of getting older, but the disease slowly evolving and engulfing Michael's brain.

"I thought, well, we can't be the only ones going through this - friendships changing, friends not understanding and avoiding you."

Wanting to do everyday activities like meeting friends at a cafe for a coffee and a chat, Angi decided to start a monthly group where people living with dementia and their partners, family members and carers could get together to socialise in a warm, non-judgemental and supportive atmosphere and the Roleystone Forget Me Memory Cafe was born at a local coffee shop with just four people attending.

It wasn't long before the word got out, and more people turned up for the monthly get-together in the Perth Hills, and Angi had to move to a bigger venue.

Since then, Forget Me Not Memory Cafes have opened up across the metro area and regional WA. There are now 30 in the state, and hundreds of people with dementia find support and friendship inside their doors.

Angi was recently nominated for the Australian Senior of the Year for Western Australia for her work in dementia.

Michael died earlier this year, but his and Angi's legacy continues to bring hope and support to people living with dementia and their partners and carers.

ACM, publisher of this masthead, is official media partner of the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards.

forgetmenotmemorycafe.com