Compassionate Cafés

Our Compassionate Cafés are drop-in sessions that provide a safe space for people who have experienced bereavement to come along for a cuppa, to connect and have a chat with others who understand.  

Compassionate Cafés

Who is this service intended for? Anyone affected by bereavement or loneliness

Where is this service provided? With local partners across Bucks and Herts, please see timetable below for list of locations and timings

When is this service available? Various - please see timetable below for list of locations and timings

About our Cafés ​

Compassionate Cafés provide a warm and welcoming space for anyone who has experienced bereavement. Held in local cafés and community venues, they offer a chance to enjoy a comforting cuppa, connect with others who understand, and share stories in a supportive environment.

Our trained volunteers are always on hand to listen, answer questions, and support you.

There is no need to book, so please just come along. ​

Where this service is available

Compassionate Cafés

Our catchment area spans Bucks and West Herts. We launched our first Compassionate Cafés in and around the Watford area but are working quickly to expand. Click on your chosen location to find out more details and opening times.

 

      Bushey, Borehamwood & Oxhey

      Compassionate CaféFacilities and costsAddressDay/time
      Inspire All (partnership) BorehamwoodFree refreshments. Dog friendly96 Shenley Road Community Hub, Borehamwood, WD6 1EB3rd Thursday, 2:00-3:30pm
      Oxhey Compassionate Café with TRDC Healthy Hub (partnership), Oxhey LibraryFree refreshmentsOxhey Library, Bridlington Road, South Oxhey, WD19 7AG Last Thursday, 1:00pm - 2:30pm

      Great Missenden

      Compassionate CaféFacilities and costsAddressDay/time
      Great Missenden Library (partnership), Great Missenden Free refreshments Great Missenden Community Library, High Street, Great Missenden, HP16 0AL Last Wednesday, 10:00am-11:30am

      Potters Bar

      Compassionate CaféFacilities and costsAddressDay/time
      Loaves & Fishes Café (partnership), Potters BarRefreshments donations based. Dog friendlyChrist Church Little Heath, Great North Rd, Potters Bar, EN6 1JNEvery Wednesday, 10:00am-12:00pm

      St Albans & Harpenden

      Compassionate CaféFacilities and costsAddressDay/time
      Well Bean Café, Harpenden Trust (partnership), HarpendenRefreshments donations based. Dog friendlyHarpenden Trust Halls (above the Co-op), 130 Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PU1st and 3rd Tuesday* 2:00pm-3:30pm
      Jersey Farm Café with Ridgeway Church (partnership), St AlbansRefreshments donations based. Dog friendlyJersey Farm Café, Jersey Farm Community Centre, 3 St. Brelades Pl, St Albans, AL4 9RG 2nd Friday, 2:30pm-4:00pm (Closed Friday 9 August 2025)
      St Saviours Cafe with St Saviours Church (partnership), St Albans Refreshments free. Dog friendlySt Saviours Church Hall, Sandpit Lane, St Albans, AL1 4DF 2nd Tuesday, 2:00pm-3:30pm
      St Albans Cathedral Café, Abbots Kitchen and St Albans Cathedral (partnership), St AlbansRefreshments for sale.St Albans Cathedral, Abbots Kitchen, Sumpter Yard, AL1 1BYEvery first Monday of the month, 2pm - 3.30pm

      Tring

      Compassionate CaféFacilities and costsAddressDay/time
      Wigginton Community Shop & Café (partnership), WiggintonRefreshments for sale. Dog friendlyThe Sports Ground, Chesham Road, Wigginton, HP23 6HH1st Wednesday, 1:30pm-3:00pm

      Watford, Abbots Langley & Croxley

      Compassionate CaféFacilities and costsAddressDay/time
      The Kitchen, CroxleyRefreshments for sale. Dog friendly198 Watford Road, Croxley Green WD3 3DB1st Friday, 10:00am-11:00am
      Café West (partnership), West WatfordRefreshments donations based. Dog friendlyWest Watford Free Church (Baptist), Tolpits Lane, WD18 6NU3rd Tuesday, 9:15am-12:15pm
      St Lawrence Church Café (partnership), Abbots Langley Refreshments for sale. Dog friendlyBreakspear Room, St Lawrence Church, High Street, Abbots Langley, WD5 0AS1st Wednesday, 2:00pm-3:30pm
      Dove Club, Lunch club (for people who have lost a partner only)Food and refreshments for sale Toby Carvery (A41 Aldenham Road roundabout), 3 Hartspring Lane, Watford, WD25 8AD 3rd Tuesday of the month, 12:00pm-2:00pm

      How our Compassionate Café’s can make a difference

      “I live on my own and I don’t see anybody else, so going to the Compassionate Cafes has helped me a lot. It gets me out of the house and I get to talk to new people, otherwise I’m not talking to anyone at all.”

      Compassionate Café attendee

      "Thank you all for your care, kindness and understanding, I don't know how I would have got through the early days of my husband's passing without you, so thank you for being there for me."

      Compassionate Café attendee

      "Without doubt, the Compassionate Café made such a positive difference to me. 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, and where I could share my memories and my experiences. I feel I have now gained a renewed sense of purpose and structure in my life, and I am in a much better place than a few months ago – I’m now even looking at volunteering myself”

      Compassionate Café attendee

      Everyone is welcome. A Compassionate 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.

      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.

      By:​

      • offering a safe and welcoming space for people to come together​
      • offering friendship, emotional support and a listening ear​
      • helping people connect with their local community ​
      • providing information, guidance and signposting to available services

      A volunteer-led service, tailored to what is needed in the local community.

      Our Cafés are a friendly and safe space, and it’s OK not to be OK. Being upset and tearful is a natural response to grief, and we understand how you might be feeling.

      Not at all. There isn’t a timescale for ‘getting over it’, and every loss is different.

      You’re more than welcome to just sit and listen to others or have a general chat. You will never be forced to share anything you’re not comfortable with but if you do decide to share you can take comfort in knowing 0ur cafes provide a judgement free environment.

      A Compassionate Café isn’t a counselling or formal support group. It’s an informal way of helping people to cope with a loss, with those who understand what you might be going through. If you’re interested in our counselling services please take a look at our talking therapies page.

      We’re here for anyone who’s had a loss. This might be a divorce, a life-changing illness, a move to a different location, coming to terms with retirement, or just wanting some friendly company at a difficult 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 Compassionate 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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