CompassionART Cafés

CompassionART Cafés are drop-in sessions where you can enjoy free arts & crafts activities and connect with others over a cuppa in a friendly, welcoming environment. Open to anyone who may be feeling lonely due to illness or bereavement. Carers, family members, and friends are warmly welcome

CompassionART Cafés

Who is this service intended for? Open to anyone lonely due to illness or/and bereavement, carers and family welcome

Where is this service provided? St Albans, Oxhey and Hemel Hempstead

When is this service available? Please see timetable below for list of locations and timings

CompassionART Cafés

CompassionART Cafés are drop-in sessions where you can enjoy free arts & crafts activities and connect with others over a cuppa in a friendly, welcoming environment. Open to anyone who may be feeling lonely due to illness or bereavement. Carers, family members, and friends are warmly welcome.

Craft & Chat

Doing an art or craft activity can be a great way to express emotions and reduce stress. Our CompassionART Cafés provide a space to be creative in a relaxing and supportive environment, helping to improve wellbeing through a challenging times.
The sessions, held in local venues, include a guided arts and crafts activity, a chance to chat and connect with others, share memories and create lasting connections over a cuppa.
There is always someone to talk through the activity, and volunteers to chat to.
These dedicated safe spaces allow you to express your inner creative side, learn new skills and meet like-minded people.

No need to book ahead – just turn up. You don’t have to be good at art! ​

Where this service is available

CompassionART Cafés

We launched our CompassionART Cafés in West Hertfordshire but are working to expand across Bucks and West Herts. Click on your chosen location to find out more details and opening times.

 

      Timetable

      CompassionART CaféFacilities and costsAddressDay/time
      Oxhey Library, OxheyFree refreshmentsBridlington Rd, South Oxhey, Watford WD19 7AGLast Thursday of the month, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
      Liberty Tea Rooms, Hemel HempsteadFree refreshments12 Bank Ct, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1BSEvery third Wednesday of the month , 2:00pm - 3:30pm
      Grove House, St AlbansFree refreshmentsGrove House, Lavender Crescent, Waverley Rd, St Albans AL3 5QX Every last Friday of the month 2:00pm - 3:30pm LAUNCHING 25th SEPTEMBER

      There will be lots of different arts and crafts activities over the weeks, including: 

      Photo coaster Ceramic painting 
      Collage Fluid art pouring 
      Scrabble tiles Box frames 
      Salt art Water colouring 
      Finger crochetTextile art

      How our CompassionART Cafés can make a difference

      "It was wonderful to meet like-minded people who understood what I was going through and gave me the space to talk about how I was feeling."

      CompassionART Café attendee

      Everyone is welcome. A CompassionART Café is about helping people through the ups and downs of life, particularly for those who have had a loss such as a bereavement, or who might be feeling lonely due to illness.

      No – you can just turn up! You can go to as many Cafés as you want.

      You do not need to pay to attend. Some Cafés offer free refreshments while others are run on a donation basis or have subsidised prices.

      Yes, and if you need any extra support, just let us know.

      You’re very welcome to bring a friend, relative or carer. Most of the Cafés also allow well-behaved dogs.

      You can either email us at compassion@renniegrovepeace.org, call us on 01923 33 03 30, or fill out an enquiry form by clicking the button below.

      Art can be a great way to express emotions and reduce stress. Our CompassionART Cafés provide a space to enjoy getting creative in a relaxing and supportive environment, helping to improve wellbeing through a challenging time.  

      Our Compassionate Communities Group volunteers offer their companionship, time, social and emotional support to people towards the end of life due to age or illness and/or people who are suffering with a loss, in a group setting like a  Compassionate Support Hub and/or Compassionate Café.

      Want to know more?

      If you have any questions or would like to work in partnership with us in setting up a new CompassionART Café in your area, please get in touch with our Compassionate Communities team on 01923 33 03 30 or via our enquiry form.

      Contact us

       

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