TV show on restaurant staffed by people with dementia combats misconception they are 'on the scrap heap'

Inspired by a real-life Japanese pop-up restaurant that opened in Tokyo last year, Channel 4's The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes follows Michelin-starred chef Josh Eggleton as he opens a pop-up restaurant staffed by 14 people living with dementia.

The four-part series was filmed in Bristol over a six-week period and aims to raise awareness of dementia as well as highlight to employers that an early dementia diagnosis does not mean the end of that person’s employment prospects.

According to The Alzheimer’s Society, in the UK, there are currently over 40,000 people with dementia under the age of 65, yet only 18 per cent continue to work after their dementia is diagnosed.

The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes shows a host of celebrity diners including comedian David Baddiel and actor Hugh Bonneville and members of the public who visit the restaurant and follows the journey of 14 volunteers, all living with some form of dementia, as they are put to work in the restaurant.

’The guys have just inspired me to show there is a lot more living to do’

In the programme, viewers see gynaecologist and obstetrician, Avril who can no longer remember how old she is and Jacqui, a legal representative, who had to give up work when dementia damaged her memory and stole her eyesight.

Viewers will also see 23-year-old Jordan who is the youngest of the 14 volunteers. Jordan has tested positive for Pick's disease (Frontotemporal dementia). His mum was diagnosed with it at an early age and died in 2016 at the age of 53.

Jordan told This Morning: “I was unfortunate that I was the one who inherited the mutated gene, I have lived with the uncertainty for so long and it took control of my life to a point where I was depressed, I was angry and I felt like I wanted to take my own life at one point.

“It became a real problem and I decided that I needed to plan for the future. I want to continue to raise awareness but I’m lucky enough to have met my partner Lucy and we’re keen to have a family.”

But working in the restaurant with other people who are diagnosed with dementia was always going to be difficult for Jordan.

“There were a couple of people who contributed who worked with us who showed similar characteristics to my mum, and that was difficult but more than anything through the whole process the guys have just inspired me to show there is a lot more living to do.”

’Help people with dementia feel welcomed, accepted and able to contribute to society’

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “In the UK someone develops dementia every three minutes, but life doesn’t end when dementia begins. The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes is a fantastic example of that – showing what is possible when people understand how best to include and support someone living with dementia.

“The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes is a ground-breaking initiative, challenging stigma and misconceptions about dementia, showing that with the right support and small adjustments, many people with dementia can continue to contribute and be valued members of their communities.

"We now need to keep this momentum going by moving forward in our mission to create a dementia-friendly society, where individuals, businesses and communities are all making the necessary adaptions to help people with dementia feel welcomed, accepted and able to contribute to society.”

In the programme working alongside Josh Eggleton, we see Matt Dodge, executive chef at Loveday Chelsea Court Place. Mr Dodge told carehome.co.uk: "Working on The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes has been a truly amazing experience.

"Watching confidence build in the volunteers and seeing friendships being made was particularly special. All of the individuals have incredible talent and the programme proves that a dementia diagnosis shouldn’t stop them from doing the things they love.

"It also highlights the importance and the benefits of continued employment for people working with dementia. I am so proud to have been part of such an inspiring programme."

Ed Havard, head of entertainment at Channel 4 said: “The ambition with The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes is to challenge and change attitudes to dementia through an original and innovative series.”

Dementia specialist Dr Zoe Wyrko who features in the show, added: “This project is both important and exciting. Nothing on this scale has ever been tried before. Even with a diagnosis of dementia, work could still be possible for some people as long as companies and employers make reasonable adjustments.

“We can’t cure dementia, we know that, but we hope through this experiment were going to give our volunteers back a sense of purpose, enhanced well-being, and hopefully a better understanding for them that the diagnosis of dementia doesn’t mean that you are on the scrap-heap.”