We’re proud to share that the Knowle and Dorridge Memory Café has been named Solihull’s Non-Profit Champion 2025 at the Solihull Awards. The category recognises a local organisation making a real difference through community collaboration, impact, and long-term support — and we’re absolutely delighted that the café has been recognised in this way.
From the very beginning, this has been a community-led project. Coordinated by Unique Senior Care and hosted at Dorridge Methodist Church, the café brings together families, volunteers, and local professionals every Tuesday for two hours of support, conversation, and joyful activity.
In just over a year, the café has grown from 7 to over 50 regular attendees, supported by a team of dedicated volunteers and organisations across the charity, health, and public sectors. These include Solihull Council, Admiral Nurses, Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK, Carers Trust, Citizens Advice, and many more — each one playing a part in helping local people feel seen, understood, and supported.
“This initiative has already made a significant difference to people’s lives,” said Sian Bishop from Solihull Council’s Community Development Team. “The support for carers is invaluable, and the café is clearly led by genuine care, not just ticking a box.”
What happens at the café?
At the heart of the café’s success is Marian, our Lead Coordinator, whose calm, consistent presence makes every session feel safe and welcoming. Whether someone’s arriving
for the first time or has been coming for months, it’s the gentle, familiar faces that make the café what it is.
Each week, families affected by dementia can drop in to enjoy:
- Creative activities like crafts and singing
- The Love to Move programme, a dementia-friendly seated exercise class developed by the British Gymnastics Foundation
- A relaxed space for carers to talk, and for people with dementia to connect and take part
- Guest visits from local professionals and partner organisations including Admiral Nurses, Alzheimer’s Society, Carers Trust, Age UK, and Social Prescribers—offering free advice and practical support
“You never have to do anything you don’t want to… make no apology for behaviour, and have a giggle whenever we can,” said one attendee. “It’s an inclusive space that gives us all something to look forward to.”
Small but important conversations often lead to meaningful support. Around 30–40 families have already been signposted to further care or referred on to specialist services — often through nothing more than a cup of tea and a quiet moment.
The café also plays an active role in the wider community, hosting events such as a local dementia support marketplace, building links with schools, and welcoming volunteers of all ages who want to make a difference.
“We’re so proud of what the café has become,” said Karen Wilkinson, Community Liaison at Unique Senior Care. “This award recognises the incredible commitment of everyone involved — our volunteers, our partners, and the families who bring warmth and life to the café every single week.”
What’s next?
Following the success of the Knowle and Dorridge café, we’ve now opened two new memory cafés – one in Cubbington, which runs every Tuesday from 10am–12pm, and another at Solihull Indoor Bowls Club, which launched on 18th September 2025 and runs every Thursday from 10.30am–12.30pm. These new venues are now fully up and running, with the Cubbington café welcoming families since early 2025, and the Solihull café launching in September. Together with Knowle and Dorridge, they form a growing network of memory cafés supporting families across Solihull and Warwickshire, with more expected to follow in 2026.
If you’d like to find out more, or come along and see the café for yourself, please contact Karen Wilkinson at
📧 karen.wilkinson@uniquecare.co.uk
📞 0121 667 5555
Chloe joined us in early 2024 as our content manager. Having earned a first-class degree in digital marketing and spending more than six years in public relations, she’s well-placed to shape informative content, editorial policy and heartfelt stories that help inform our clients and connect them with the care they need.
Having worked across a multitude of different industries before care, Chloe’s passion lies in the meaningfulness of her work – from creating content that guides clients through their care journey to helping Caregivers find a rewarding new role.
At Unique, Chloe finds fulfilment in our supportive culture and the heart-warming stories from both clients and carers that highlight the impact of our services.