New Dementia Friendly Café launches in Chesterton
published on 5 Mar 2026
A new Dementia Friendly Café is launching in Chesterton this spring, offering a safe, welcoming space for people living with dementia and their carers to connect, relax and find support.
Hosted by the Salvation Army in Chesterton, the cafe will open on Friday 13 March 2026, running from 10am to noon at the local church on Brick Kiln Lane, ST5 7FA. It will then take place on the second Friday of every month, with free refreshment available to all who attend.
The Dementia Friendly Cafe has been developed in response to growing local needs, following several years of hosting short courses for carers of people living with dementia, delivered by local Alzheimer’s support services. Conversations with carers and people attending those courses highlighted a lack of ongoing, informal support spaces in the area, once the courses ended.
With recent funding secured around last year’s Christmas and guidance from the Alzheimer’s UK, plans for a dedicated Dementia Friendly Cafe were brought forward.
The cafe, open to people living with dementia and their carers, is designed to feel like a relaxed coffee morning rather than a formal support session. Alongside refreshments, attendees can take part in gentle activities such as dominoes, jigsaws and crafts, with occasional guest speakers or musicians joining the sessions. The emphasis is on calm, familiarity, and shared experience.
Dementia can be incredibly isolating, not just for those living with the condition but for carers too. This cafe is about creating a place where people feel safe, welcomed and understood.
The Alzheimer’s UK will be supporting the initiative through information resources, signposting and occasional visits.
Organisers hope the space will help reduce isolation, support wellbeing, and allow friendships formed through earlier courses to continue and grow.
Chesterton Salvation Army serves as a welcoming community hub, offering a wide range of activities that support connection, wellbeing, and everyday needs. Through hospitality, practical support, and inclusive activities for all ages, the church remains committed to nurturing community, care, and belonging.