Caraway Memory cafes in Southampton for those living with dementia

About this opportunity

October 2025 Update

Note on above poster: It should be Medwell Court and not Medwall!

Caraway

Celebrating the richness and wisdom of old age, Caraway aims to promote and resource the spiritual well-being of those in their older years. We are a Christian charity working alongside those with and without faith in Southampton and beyond.  They often work alongside the Admiral Nurses.

Working in partnership with churches and the health and social sectors, Caraway supports those at home, in the community, and in residential care, particularly addressing the needs of those who are lonely, socially isolated, or living with dementia.

Dementia Care:
Katherine Barbour writes, “Dementia is one of the toughest diagnoses that a person can receive, and learning to adjust to this news is really hard for both the person and their family.  My mum Jane was diagnosed with dementia while living in a care home and she became very depressed for some time after this.  After she died in 2012 my life felt very bleak, Saturday had been the day I always spent with mum.  I started gardening and sorting out the veg plot at our house in Portswood and in 2015 I started inviting people over to see the garden and fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society. “

Around this time Katherine started a dementia action group to support people and their carers experiencing this awful disease. Some of the Dementia Projects we are involved with are:

  • Wellbeing Volunteers for Dementia – a listening service for families living with dementia
  • Memory Cafes
  • Dementia Soirees
  • Together we stand magazine
  • Dementia Festival

Memory Cafés (see poster above)

Caraway has been working in partnership with the Admiral nurses, nurses for carers of those with dementia, to hold a monthly Memory Cafe in various areas of the city. Southampton Memory Cafes.  Many safe, warm places across the city for carers of, and people living with dementia, or those worried about their memory
Come along for a warm welcome, a cuppa and cake and meet others in a similar situation.
Supported by professionals, and there is often live music and singing, craft and quizzes. You
will be glad you came, and it’s free!
Click on this link to find the updated list of Southampton Memory Cafes:

The Memory Café is a way to meet with and chat to other carers.  A place to have some light hearted chat about other topics such as memories of holidays, laughter, music, or pets. The afternoons provides a relaxed space where people with dementia and their carers can come for an enjoyable outing, knowing that it is a friendly and understanding environment.

At the café, there is a friendly face and a listening ear.  The Admiral nurses (specialist nurses to support carers of people living with dementia) will attend occasionally and give advice and guidance.  Refreshments will be served.  Games, conversation starters, reminiscences, and speakers of interest will be served up from time to time.  This session is free of charge.  The volunteers are DBS checked, have had references taken up, and received training about dementia.

Just drop in when you can come, it is a friendly group.

 
 

Holidays at Home: Every year Caraway supports many exciting events such as Holiday at Home, and celebrations such as ‘International Older Person’s Day.  Providing a chance for older people from across Southampton to join together, eat together and have fun together.  Visit the website for updates on these events.

Come for a cuppa and a chat!

Working with our local partners we have compiled a list of community events for older people that occur on a regular basis. Some of these are not run directly by Caraway but we think they are wonderful and want to make sure people know about them!

Just drop in when you can come, you will always find a warm welcome, a smile, a laugh, a cup of tea and probably some cake!

EventDescriptionWhereWhenTimeLink
Tea PotCoffee, Cake and ChatMake and Brew, St James Methodist Church, ShirleyFirst Monday of the Month2 – 4pmMake and Brew
Bereavement CafeTea, Cake and a listening earSt James Methodist Church, ShirleyLast Monday of the Month2 – 4pmMake and Brew
Monty’s MajorsCoffee, Cake and CommunityMonty’s HubTuesday1:30-3pmMonty’s Hub
Thursday CuppaTea, cake and chatSt Mary’s Church, SholingThursday10-11:30amSt Mary’s Church
Coffee, cake and connectA friendly community group for older peopleLord’s Hill ChurchThursday1:30-3pmLord’s Hill Church
Coffee and CakeA friendly community group for older peopleSt Deny’s ChurchFriday1:30-3pmSt Deny’s Church

About Caraway

Please note, whilst we do our best to keep information as up-to-date as possible, over time community services may change some details such as dates, times, and locations. The information we share is therefore subject to change. Our goal is to showcase available support services within the city. However, inclusion in this database does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any organisation. Click here to read our full disclaimer.

If you find any errors, please let us know by emailing Community@southamptonvs.org.uk  so we can amend the incorrect information.