Return of Southampton’s Memory Café

Southampton’s Memory Café makes a welcome return

Over the last few months, we are delighted to see the return of Southampton’s Memory Café. This is a much-loved resource for families living with dementia to gain advice, support and a listening ear over a cup of tea with cake.

All of Southampton’s memory cafés are run in partnership with Solent NHS Admiral Nursing Team. Whenever possible, an admiral nurse is available at most café’s providing advice on the:

medical needs of the person living with dementia
support needs of the family members caring for the person living with dementia.

In addition to this we often have someone representing the charity “Carers in Southampton” offering further advice on the local and national support available to those caring for a loved one living with dementia.

Medwell Court in Thornhill was the first location to see a return of Southampton’s Memory Café, Highfield and Bitterne were quick to follow. Cafes started with as few as six people attending but word has quickly spread. All cafes regularly have twenty attendees, while a couple of events have exceeded thirty guests. We are looking to increase the frequency of Southampton’s Memory Cafés in the new year. Please contact us if you can spare some regular time to help us run one of Southampton’s Memory Café.

We work extremely hard to engage our Memory Café visitors with crafts, quizzes, games, puzzles, conversation, singing and stories with generous helpings of tea, coffee and most important cake. Whenever possible we collaborate with community partners like Southampton City Council, Saints Foundation, MAST Mayflower Studios among many others.

Over the last few weeks, MAST studios have attended our Memory Cafes providing workshops and crafts inspired by their neverland project installed over Christmas 2021. Memory Café participants have been recounting their memories to inspire a work of art by a local artist and making wishing stars exhibited at MAST Mayflower Studios. Where “with the help of local artists, community groups and schools, our building has been transformed into Peter Pan’s Neverland through a series of art installations. Visit our building to explore Mermaid’s Lagoon, take a seat in Captain Hook’s Quarters and wander through the Starry Night Sky as you explore the art pieces that have been created by our own community here in Southampton. Our exhibitions are free to visit and are available to view throughout our building’s regular opening hours.” Please visit Neverland at MAST Studios website for more details about this fabulous community engagement project.

If you know someone who could benefit from visiting one of Southampton’s Memory Cafés, please let them know about the following sessions.

Bitterne Memory Café, Ascension Church Café, 2nd & 4th Wednesday of Month at 3-4.30pm
Thornhill Memory Café, Medwell Court, 1st Tuesday of Month at 2-4pm
Highfield Memory Café, Highfield Church Centre, 3rd Tuesday of Month at 2-4pm
Dementia & Carer Drop In, Speedwell Court, 1st Wednesday of Month at 2-3.30pm
Do not forget the Memory Café Christmas Party 21^st December 2-4pm at Highfield Church Centre.

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