Seniors Friendship Café at Roves Farm celebrates two years

The ‘Roves Farm Seniors Friendship Café’ in Sevenhampton is celebrating its second birthday this month.

The café brings joy to older people by connecting people and animals in a friendly, inclusive café environment suited to older people including those living with dementia. 

The group is run by Home Instead Charities, the charity arm of home care company Home Instead.

Home Instead provides care services to enable people to continue to live independently at home.

Cat Attewell, from Home Instead Swindon & Vale of White Horse is the volunteer champion who runs the monthly cafe on the second Tuesday of every month, from 10.30am to noon.

The café offers a chance to meet up with people over a cake and hot drink, do some quizzes and games, and then see, hold and feed the farm’s baby animals.

Cat said: “It’s been amazing to see older people getting out and making friends! I’m touched by the difference it has made to people.

“We always have a friendly, fun time but the magic really happens when you see people’s faces light up when they stroke and hold the baby animals. Many older people can’t necessarily keep a pet at home, but they love to interact with the animals and experience all the sounds and smells of a farm, and it brings back happy memories.”

The daughter of regular guest Jenny said: “Without groups like these, managing mum’s Alzheimer’s would be even harder than it already is. The club has been such a vital part of mum remaining at home with us.”

The café is open to all seniors, and guests who aren’t themselves living with dementia also appreciate the benefits.  Regular guest Mary said: “We have such a laugh here! I go home feeling better in myself for having been out and with friendly people. It has really helped my wellbeing.”

The café has had many professional guests attend to share helpful information, including the Live Well Team from Swindon Borough Council and the Vulnerable Person’s Officer from Thames Water. 

Other regular guests include Dilys, registered therapy dog with Therapy Dogs Nationwide, along with her owner Karen Price. Oxfordshire Dementia have been a great supporter of the café and their advisors have often attended to be available for an informal chat with those who need some support and information. 

Keeley, Marketing Manager at Roves Farm, said: “Over the last two years we have been very happy to support the Seniors Friendship Cafe in providing something a bit different, combining interactions with our friendly farm animals and staff, and of course a slice of homemade cake and a cuppa.  We hope the cafe will continue to bring people together, making new connections, for many years to come."  

Home Instead Charities is a national charity which works to prevent loneliness and isolation in ageing adults and has been delighted to work with the local Home Instead Swindon & Vale of White Horse in offering both this café, and a new Companionship Café at Stanford in the Vale, on the third Monday on the month at Stanford in the Vale Village Hall from 1.30 to 3.20pm.

The Companionship Café is a friendly place to make friends, be creative and make friends. Both cafes are on a donations-only basis and everyone is welcome.

For more information about either Roves Farm Senior’s Friendship Café or the Companionship Café at Stanford in the Vale, people can contact cat.attewell@homeinsteadswindon.co.uk or call 01793 232 585.