The Salvation Army Peacehaven, set up a pop up café during World Ageing Asia 2023. Debuting for the first time as an international collaboration outside of Japan, the centre proceeded with the support of the original restaurant advisor, Mr Yukio Wada, Director & General Manager, Daiki Enzeru Help Co., Ltd, Japan. Mr Wada says that, “[Japan wants to] create a society where [persons living with dementia] can feel wanted and needed [as] a working member of society. That is the direction that Japan is moving towards, and the Restaurant of Mistaken Orders is just one part of that [direction].”
The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders is a pop-up concept that originated in 2017 in Japan by producer Shiro Oguni. The intention of the restaurant is that the dish you ordered may not be the one you end up eating – and that’s because the restaurant’s staff are people living with dementia. Even if there are mistakes in the orders, it is fine because through understanding customers can show little acts of kindness to those with dementia. More importantly, the Restaurant of Mistaken Orders aims to also help the elderly feel more productive, and debunk some myths about dementia with an experiential programme that makes our society more gracious towards those with dementia. These positive interactions can reduce stigma of dementia.
The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders launched as a pop up for two days on 24-25 May at the Ageing Asia 2023 – World Ageing Festival (14th Edition) co-organized with Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) Geronpreneurship Innovation Festival, held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. “This is a wonderful opportunity to empower persons living with dementia. They are able to be contributing members of society and we want to affirm their sense of self-worth and dignity with the help of the public.” says Mdm Low Mui Lang, Executive Director of The Salvation Army Peacehaven.
There are plans and preparations to roll this café concept out in partnership with volunteers and companies so that those with dementia can still be part of the community.
For more information on Peacehaven Jade Circle, kindly visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.sg/wwd-peacehaven-jade-circle/