{"id":{"repo_id":"plymouth","oai_identifier":"oai:pearl.plymouth.ac.uk:nm-theses-1027"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/plymouth/oai:pearl.plymouth.ac.uk:nm-theses-1027","repository":{"repo_id":"plymouth","name":"University of Plymouth","base_url":"https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/do/oai"},"display":{"title":"More Than Tea And Cake: A Realist Evaluation Of Memory Cafés In Cornwall","abstract":"Background: Memory cafés are a growing community based response to supporting people living with dementia and their carers. They are now well established in the UK and elsewhere; with over forty cafés in Cornwall. Despite their growth, there has been little research into their structure, aims and impact. Aims: The aim of this research was to explore how and why memory cafés work for people living with dementia and their carers. Methodology: Realist methodology is a theory driven approach that seeks to explain why a programme works, for whom and in what circumstances. The research consisted of three stages. Firstly, the development of initial programme theories through a realist review. Secondly, the testing and refinement of those theories, and the development of new theories through a realist evaluation. Thirdly, the formulation of a conceptual platform from the programme theories of how and why memory cafés work. The realist evaluation used ethnographic approaches of observation and in-situ interviews in four memory cafés, to enable a greater understanding of the café structures, processes and reported benefits. Results: A conceptual platform comprising twelve core processes of how and why memory cafés work was developed from nine programme theories. Cafés generally adopted a volunteer-led, more structured approach or a guest-led, unstructured approach. Memory cafes are multi-faceted; providing a safe place where people with dementia and their carers can meet with others in a similar situation, and engage in a range of activities. Furthermore, they provide a place of continuity for a carer once their loved one has passed away. They create opportunities for humour and laughter, outside of normal routines and can be a source of information on other services. Most importantly they enable the development of relationships. Conclusions: Memory cafés provide a valuable community based service to people living with and affected by dementia.","abstract_html":"Background: Memory cafés are a growing community based response to supporting people living with dementia and their carers. They are now well established in the UK and elsewhere; with over forty cafés in Cornwall. Despite their growth, there has been little research into their structure, aims and impact. Aims: The aim of this research was to explore how and why memory cafés work for people living with dementia and their carers. Methodology: Realist methodology is a theory driven approach that seeks to explain why a programme works, for whom and in what circumstances. The research consisted of three stages. Firstly, the development of initial programme theories through a realist review. Secondly, the testing and refinement of those theories, and the development of new theories through a realist evaluation. Thirdly, the formulation of a conceptual platform from the programme theories of how and why memory cafés work. The realist evaluation used ethnographic approaches of observation and in-situ interviews in four memory cafés, to enable a greater understanding of the café structures, processes and reported benefits. Results: A conceptual platform comprising twelve core processes of how and why memory cafés work was developed from nine programme theories. Cafés generally adopted a volunteer-led, more structured approach or a guest-led, unstructured approach. Memory cafes are multi-faceted; providing a safe place where people with dementia and their carers can meet with others in a similar situation, and engage in a range of activities. Furthermore, they provide a place of continuity for a carer once their loved one has passed away. They create opportunities for humour and laughter, outside of normal routines and can be a source of information on other services. Most importantly they enable the development of relationships. Conclusions: Memory cafés provide a valuable community based service to people living with and affected by dementia.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Burrows, Lisa"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Bridie Kent, Jos Latour, Ruth Garside"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2020,"date_issued":"2020-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2020-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:50:32Z","subjects":["Memory Cafe","Realist","Community Support","Cornwall","Dementia"],"languages":["eng"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["10026.1/15785"],"render_values":[{"text":"10026.1/15785","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/nm-theses/27","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Bridie Kent, Jos Latour, Ruth Garside"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Burrows, Lisa"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2020-01-01T08:00:00Z"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Memory Cafe","Realist","Community Support","Cornwall","Dementia"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["eng"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["10026.1/15785","https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/nm-theses/27"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Background: Memory cafés are a growing community based response to supporting people living with dementia and their carers. They are now well established in the UK and elsewhere; with over forty cafés in Cornwall. Despite their growth, there has been little research into their structure, aims and impact. Aims: The aim of this research was to explore how and why memory cafés work for people living with dementia and their carers. Methodology: Realist methodology is a theory driven approach that seeks to explain why a programme works, for whom and in what circumstances. The research consisted of three stages. Firstly, the development of initial programme theories through a realist review. Secondly, the testing and refinement of those theories, and the development of new theories through a realist evaluation. Thirdly, the formulation of a conceptual platform from the programme theories of how and why memory cafés work. The realist evaluation used ethnographic approaches of observation and in-situ interviews in four memory cafés, to enable a greater understanding of the café structures, processes and reported benefits. Results: A conceptual platform comprising twelve core processes of how and why memory cafés work was developed from nine programme theories. Cafés generally adopted a volunteer-led, more structured approach or a guest-led, unstructured approach. Memory cafes are multi-faceted; providing a safe place where people with dementia and their carers can meet with others in a similar situation, and engage in a range of activities. Furthermore, they provide a place of continuity for a carer once their loved one has passed away. They create opportunities for humour and laughter, outside of normal routines and can be a source of information on other services. Most importantly they enable the development of relationships. Conclusions: Memory cafés provide a valuable community based service to people living with and affected by dementia."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["More Than Tea And Cake: A Realist Evaluation Of Memory Cafés In Cornwall"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Bridie Kent, Jos Latour, Ruth Garside"],"dc:creator":["Burrows, Lisa"],"dc:date.issued":["2020-01-01T08:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["Background: Memory cafés are a growing community based response to supporting people living with dementia and their carers. They are now well established in the UK and elsewhere; with over forty cafés in Cornwall. Despite their growth, there has been little research into their structure, aims and impact. Aims: The aim of this research was to explore how and why memory cafés work for people living with dementia and their carers. Methodology: Realist methodology is a theory driven approach that seeks to explain why a programme works, for whom and in what circumstances. The research consisted of three stages. Firstly, the development of initial programme theories through a realist review. Secondly, the testing and refinement of those theories, and the development of new theories through a realist evaluation. Thirdly, the formulation of a conceptual platform from the programme theories of how and why memory cafés work. The realist evaluation used ethnographic approaches of observation and in-situ interviews in four memory cafés, to enable a greater understanding of the café structures, processes and reported benefits. Results: A conceptual platform comprising twelve core processes of how and why memory cafés work was developed from nine programme theories. Cafés generally adopted a volunteer-led, more structured approach or a guest-led, unstructured approach. Memory cafes are multi-faceted; providing a safe place where people with dementia and their carers can meet with others in a similar situation, and engage in a range of activities. Furthermore, they provide a place of continuity for a carer once their loved one has passed away. They create opportunities for humour and laughter, outside of normal routines and can be a source of information on other services. Most importantly they enable the development of relationships. Conclusions: Memory cafés provide a valuable community based service to people living with and affected by dementia."],"dc:identifier":["10026.1/15785","https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/nm-theses/27"],"dc:language":["eng"],"dc:subject":["Memory Cafe","Realist","Community Support","Cornwall","Dementia"],"dc:title":["More Than Tea And Cake: A Realist Evaluation Of Memory Cafés In Cornwall"],"dc:type":["Thesis"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:50:32Z"}