Luxury care home in Swindon launches new Memory Café

Next week, Willowbrook View care home in Wichelstowe, Swindon is officially launching a new monthly ‘Memory Café’ for the families and friends of local people living with dementia.

Designed as a community support hub for anyone impacted by the condition, it will provide a safe space for people to share experiences, swap advice, or to simply blow off steam in a friendly and supportive environment. 

Led by Willowbrook’s Events and Activities Lead Emily Locke, the sessions will offer tea, coffee, cakes, and fun light activities for participants to engage in. They will also occasionally feature dementia professionals and guest speakers who can share their insights on dealing with the condition. The Willowbrook team hopes the cafés will provide local people the normality, peer support, and practical advice they need to be effective carers for their loved ones.

 General Manager, Liv Butler, said: “We are thrilled to be opening our Willowbrook View Memory Café! The world can feel like it gets smaller when you get that Dementia diagnosis, but it doesn’t have to.

“We hope having the opportunity to laugh, smile and talk with other people who truly understand you makes your world a brighter place. We can’t wait to meet you!”

The concept of a ‘dementia café’ has been growing in popularity in recent years, and there are now over 60 such groups scattered around the country. Studies show this kind of regular community support can provide a vital sense of belonging for individuals with dementia and their care partners, boosting their emotional health and social engagement. 

Aside from the emotional support, participants also benefit from the information-sharing aspects of the cafés – which can improve the quality of care they are able to offer. Sadly, there is no manual for how to perfectly cope with dementia, however these kinds of groups can help fill this gap by offering practical, experience-based advice from the frontlines of dementia care. 

According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, dementia currently impacts an estimated 982,000 people across the UK; a figure which is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. In Swindon alone, there are over 2,400 over 65s living with some form of dementia, meaning 1 in 14 people will develop the condition at some point. It has therefore never been more crucial to create local, community-based hubs focussed on dementia care; which is what Willowbrook View hopes to do for Swindon. 

Commenting on the launch of the project, Emily Locke said: “Our aim is to create an active local support network so that no one in Swindon has to feel alone when grappling with dementia. People forget that dealing with dementia is not just challenging for those living with the condition, but also for their friends and family helping them through it.

“For us, it’s crucial that people feel supported themselves so they can properly care for their loved ones; and that’s what our new Memory Café is all about.”

The home will be launching the cafes at a ‘Memory Launch’ event on May 6, 10am-12pm. From then on, the memory cafe will be open on the 1st Tuesday of the month. 

Willowbrook View is part of the Connaught Care Collection, an award-winning provider of luxury care homes. Located in the heart of the Wichelstowe development, the home will offer state-of-the-art facilities, compassionate care, and a commitment to active community involvement. The home officially opened its doors in Wichelstowe, Swindon in February 2025. 

To learn more, please contact [email protected] or call 01793 387950.