A warm welcome awaits…
Our aim is to provide support and information to those living with dementia, their family, carers, and friends.
Since 2006 our sessions have offered people the opportunity to meet others in a similar situation in a relaxed social atmosphere that always involves tea and cake! Carers can access information, share concerns and experiences, while their loved ones enjoy a range of stimulating, fun activities. See below for the latest news.
Tavistock Memory Café is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, all those involved are volunteers. We work closely with the Tavistock Dementia Alliance, our local Admiral Nurse, statutory services, and hold the Devon Memory Café Consortium Quality Assurance Mark.
I just wanted to say thanks for the lovely warm welcome on Saturday. I was very impressed with the service that you offer and the people of Tavistock and the surrounding areas are very lucky to have such a well led and resourced memory cafe.
Latest News
In May’s Dementia Action week, the Memory Café provided an information stand in Tavistock and were able to offer support and advice to passers by. We also hosted the Training 2Care Dementia Experience tour bus, providing training sessions to volunteers from Memory Cafés in the area and local care professionals.
Dementia champions from Tavyside surgery had this to say “Thank you so much for inviting us along to this experience, and what a fantastic experience it was! We found it to be so insightful and empowering. It really did help us to gain a far better understanding of how someone living with dementia could feel.“
MEMORY CAFE UPDATE: July/August 2026. Happy 20th Birthday Tavistock Memory Cafe! Tickets for our Birthday Tea Dance on Saturday 25th July are now available – contact us.
“Catch a Cuppa” Cafe is on Mondays (not Bank Hols) 10:30 – 12:30 at the TASS Cafe at the Pannier Market – details here
Our Memory Café meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. There will be 2 sessions on each Saturday at 11am and 2pm. Our Care and Share sessions are on the third Thursday of the month. ‘Catch a Cuppa’ Cafe is every Monday 10:30 to 12:30 (not Bank Holidays). Other support sessions are available. For all our sessions, please book by calling Heather on 07436 008281 or email: info@tavistockmemorycafe.co.uk.
Memory Café
The sessions start with our trained volunteers greeting our members old and new and there’s the chance to chat over tea and biscuits.
After the first half an hour, carers can meet in a separate room for a peer support session run by one of the group or an experienced volunteer. The session allows the sharing experiences, exchanging information, or hearing from a guest professional, and always in strict confidence.
Meanwhile those who are living with dementia can get involved in a variety of stimulating and fun activities supported by our volunteers. Quizzes, art and craft, live music and singing, and celebratory events are often in the programme.
During the year we aim to organise some outings that take us to a local location of interest, or a café or pub – tea and cake will be served of course.
Just to let you know how much advice I gleaned from other carers in coping and dealing with whatever I am facing. I came away enlightened and with ideas on how to move forward. I usually reach out and attend when I’m against yet another brick wall, today I’ve got a new hole in the wall and can see some more light.
When and Where?
Memory Cafe sessions run on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at 11am and 2pm at The Anchorage Centre, TASS, Chapel St, Tavistock PL19 8AG. Please call us for more information and to book.
Care and Share
Thank you to all of you for your excellent hard work and so much kindness on our behalf. You really do help to make a very difficult time of life a little easier.
This monthly session is designed to allow carers and family a short spell of time for themselves, leaving their loved one in the capable hands of our volunteers.
From 1 to 4 hours those living with dementia and attending will be involved in a variety of activities, discuss interests past and present, prepare a cuppa, and enjoy your packed lunch if you wish.
Carers may wish to pop to the shops, meet a friend, or have some quiet time in The Meadows safe in the knowledge that their loved one is in good hands.
For safety and wellbeing reasons, we will discuss with carers and family how suitable it is to leave your loved one unaccompanied and with our volunteers.
When and Where?
Care and Share sessions are on the third Thursday of the month from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Tavistock Library, The Quay, Plymouth Road, Tavistock PL19 8AB.
Please book by calling Heather on 07436 008281 or email info@tavistockmemorycafe.co.uk.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)
CST is a course of structured, therapeutic sessions that are based around a topic, with talking, music, and pictures, all leading to a stimulating, fun, and beneficial experience. Run by trained facilitators, the sessions are usually for 1 hour, once a week for 12 weeks. If you are interested in being involved in CST then please Contact Us.
When and Where?
The next CST course starts in September 2026 in Tavistock Library. More information is HERE.
“My husband and I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you all for making us both feel so welcome at the Memory Cafe this year. We’ve really enjoyed it, he always looks forward to going and I have learnt so much from the carers sessions”
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