A RAIL museum is preparing to restart its dementia-friendly sessions.

And the Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum is promising a warm welcome.

The sessions, hosted in the cafe at the museum, are for those living with dementia and their family or carers.

It enables them to enjoy a cup of tea, a chat and to meet staff.

There is also the chance to handle some of the museum's collection of objects from the era of steam railways, as well as trying out some art and craft activities.

The first of the new sessions will be held on Wednesday February 21 from 11am-12.30pm, and will then follow on the third Wednesday of every month. Free admission to the museum is included. There is also the option of staying for lunch with freshly-made soup and sandwiches available in the café every Wednesday, run by The Links centre which provides services for adults with special needs.

Sarah Gouldsbrough, learning and access officer at Head of Steam, said: “All our staff members are Dementia Friends and we will do our best to create a warm, welcoming environment for people to socialise, enjoy the museum and perhaps try something they’ve not done before with our art and craft activities. Our sessions have proved popular in the past and we hope the new day and time, which also coincides with the café being open for lunch, will encourage more people to join us and extend their visit.”

For more information about Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum visit the website at www.head-of-steam.co.uk, phone 01325-405060 or email headofsteam@darlington.gov.uk