What is a Memory Café?
Memory Cafés offer a friendly welcome for anyone affected by dementia, or worried about their own or someone else’s memory. They provide practical information and support, as well as the opportunity for people to ask questions and to share with experiences. They also provide an informal and social environment in which to enjoy activities, listen to guest speakers and make new friends. Give them a try, you can pop in anytime and will be made very welcome.
The Retreat Memory Café in Soundwell
When: 10:15am-12:15pm on the second and fourth Monday of every month - except Bank Holidays.
Where: St Stephens Church, 34 Church Road, Bristol BS16 4RH
The Retreat Memory Café is open to anyone with dementia, and their carers. There are fun activities, crafts, singing and invited speakers. It's a great opportunity to meet, socialise and relax in a caring environment. Free tea, coffee and homemade cakes.
We Need Volunteers!
We have a great team of volunteers that run the cafe, but more helping hands are always welcome! If you would like to help out too, please get in touch. Full training will be provided.
Current volunteering roles:
For more information on volunteer roles, please email dementia@southernbrooks.org.uk or call us on 01454 868570
Alternatively, download the Volunteer Application Form
Where to find us
Lasting Memories Film
In 2014, our local secondary school, Patchway Community School, took part in a project named "Lasting Memories", in conjunction with Patchway Memory Cafe.
Six students were chosen to meet people living with dementia at Patchway Memory Cafe, and to make an educational film about dementia. Their meetings centered around the young people asking the people with dementia about their early lives, doing some research about the things they learnt, and presenting it back to them.
The film follows the learning of the young people, and the positive interactions there are between the young people and the people living with dementia.
The Memory Cafe users all said they really enjoyed spending time with the young people, and the students equally enjoyed their time with the Cafe members, and learnt a great deal about dementia.