Visitors feel the love at an award-winning dementia café in Leeds

At Andrew’s United Reformed Church in Roundhay, Leeds, has long had a community café, the Clocktower Café, a place for people to meet once a week. It is popular with older people, including, increasingly, those with dementia and their carers, for whom there is little other provision in the area. But as it has grown busier, this has created its own problems – the noise was difficult for the growing number of visitors with dementia. Heather Thomson, an Elder in St Andrews, whose mother had had dementia, had the idea of starting a second café, especially for people with dementia and their carers. After consulting with prospective visitors and dementia professionals, Heather and the team of volunteers opened Forget-Me-Not Café on 6 August 2024. It takes place twice a month, for a couple of hours over a Tuesday lunchtime. The room is calm and light with gentle music playing quietly.

All guests are welcomed personally, and everyone, guests and volunteers, wears a badge with their name and an image of something important to them. Before lunch, as people arrive, they enjoy tea and a chat. Two-handled mugs are provided for those who find them easier, but nice ceramic ones so they don’t look like baby beakers or hospital cups. ‘Just letting people keep their dignity is so important, explains Heather. Volunteering at the café is not just about serving tea, but sitting down over a cuppa and spending time. Carers particularly value the chance to offload. The café aims to provide one volunteer to talk to every pair, so it requires plenty of…

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This is an extract from an article published in Issue 3 2026 edition of Reformed.