Companions Café

Liz Matthews
24 September 2026

Haydon Wick Parish Companions Café

Haydon Wick Parish Companions Café https://haydonwick.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Pic1-2.jpg 1600 1200 Liz Matthews Liz Matthews https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c218b56a6fa3d8df354fa71beb70533e452920ca3bf5dad7bf5eacb9ca1ed8c?s=96&d=mm&r=g 24 September 2026 19 October 2026

A Morning at the Companions Café

This morning, our Companions Café was full of warmth – a mix of uplifting chats and some harder, more emotional conversations. That’s exactly what this safe space is for: being there for one another, sharing our journeys and our difficulties, safe in the knowledge that our loved ones living with dementia are being well looked after by Right at Home Swindon

We were also pleased to welcome the Head of Commissioning for Swindon Borough Council , who came along to listen to residents’ concerns and questions. She heard directly from everyone, and will return soon to share her next steps.

Thank you to everyone who came along and spoke so openly. Your voices matter, and we’re grateful for your trust.

If you or someone you know would like to join us, everyone is welcome.

Our next Companions Café will be on Thursday 22nd October, 10:00am–12:00pm.

For more information and to book your space, reach out to our Memory Café & Community Co Ordinator:

memorycafe@haydonwick.gov.uk

01793 722446

Liz Matthews
20 April 2026

Interested in Supporting our Community Cafes?

Interested in Supporting our Community Cafes? https://haydonwick.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Memory-Cafe-Volunteers-sq-scaled.png 2560 2560 Liz Matthews Liz Matthews https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c218b56a6fa3d8df354fa71beb70533e452920ca3bf5dad7bf5eacb9ca1ed8c?s=96&d=mm&r=g 20 April 2026 20 April 2026

Love people? Love community? Help us keep our Community Cafés thriving.

Our community cafés are about connection, understanding, and creating welcoming spaces for people who need them most.

We currently run three much‑loved cafés:

Haydon Wick Haven – a warm, welcoming space for everyone in our community to connect

Memory Café – supporting people living with dementia

Companion Café – supporting those caring for loved ones living with dementia

These cafés run regularly and are incredibly important to those who attend. To ensure we continue delivering a safe, high‑quality and compassionate experience, we’re looking to train new volunteers to join our friendly team.

We are especially keen to hear from people who:

Have some understanding or experience of dementia

Are kind, patient, and reliable

Can offer a few hours a week

Our volunteer team is a warm, supportive, and fun bunch — and volunteering with us is a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy and feel suited to,

contact us at: memorycafe@haydonwick.gov.uk – we’d love to hear from you!

Together, we can keep our cafés welcoming, supportive, and full of connection

Liz Matthews
14 December 2024

News

Can You Help?

Can You Help? https://haydonwick.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Volunteers-marketing.png 2333 1750 Liz Matthews Liz Matthews https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c218b56a6fa3d8df354fa71beb70533e452920ca3bf5dad7bf5eacb9ca1ed8c?s=96&d=mm&r=g 14 December 2024 19 December 2024

Are you passionate about supporting people living with dementia?

Do you have experience caring for a loved one with dementia, if so, we’d love for you to join our small team of volunteers at the Companion Café.

The Companion Café is a safe and supportive space created for the caregivers of people living with dementia. It offers a place for companions /caregivers to seek solace, compassion, and empathy. The Companion Café provides an opportunity for companions/caregivers to reach out for support and guidance as they navigate the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia.

• Engage in meaningful conversation and activities with café guests

• Provide a supportive, understanding presence and assist with any needs

• Help with serving beverages, setup, and clean up.

• Work collaboratively with other volunteers, staff, and councillors.

• Demonstrated empathy, patience, and a genuine interest in the wellbeing of older adults

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to work as part of a team.

• Knowledge of the common challenges faced by those living with dementia

If you possess the above qualities and are passionate about making a difference in the lives of those affected by dementia, we would love to have you join our Companion Café volunteer team.

This is a wonderful opportunity; the Companion Café provides a profoundly meaningful impact for both the caregivers it serves and the volunteers who contribute their time and compassion.

Interested? Contact Jo, the Memory Café Co-ordinator, at memorycafe@haydonwick.gov.uk or 01793 722446

Dementia UK @carers_uk @age_uk @alzheimerssoc Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Liz Matthews
27 June 2024

News

Companions Café Update

Companions Café Update https://haydonwick.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PHOTO-2024-06-27-12-29-06.jpg 1600 1200 Liz Matthews Liz Matthews https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c218b56a6fa3d8df354fa71beb70533e452920ca3bf5dad7bf5eacb9ca1ed8c?s=96&d=mm&r=g 27 June 2024 27 June 2024

This morning’s Companions Café was a lovely group, it was the second gathering of this supportive community. The relaxed and welcoming atmosphere encouraged companions to open up and learn from one another as they shared their challenging experiences on their dementia journeys.

Attendees enjoyed an interactive morning filled with various activities, including pebble painting, flower pressing, word searches, and discussions about music genres. The event provided a warm and safe space for those caring for loved ones living with dementia to connect, find support, and share experiences with others who truly understand their situation.

The Companions Café offers regular resources and guest speakers sharing invaluable advice. Limited spaces are available for loved ones to attend, supported by experienced volunteers. The café meets every 4th Thursday of the month from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at the Haydon Wick Parish Council Office (SN25 1QQ).

Those interested in learning more about the Haydon Wick Parish Council Companion Café are encouraged to reach out to Co-Ordinator Jo at memorycafe@haydonwick.gov.uk or 01793 722446 for more information and to join in creating heart-warming moments.