THERE were smiles all round when a memory cafe was handed a top award.
The Knowle and Dorridge Memory Café was crowned winner of the Non-Profit Champion 2025 for its outstanding community impact, partnerships, and support for local families living with dementia at the Solihull Awards.
The awards recognised the achievements of Solihull businesses over the past year.
Coordinated by Unique Senior Care, the café brings together volunteers, carers, and local organisations to provide weekly sessions filled with meaningful activities, movement, advice, and a welcoming space for all.
Since opening in June 2024, the café now supports around 50 regular attendees.
Every Tuesday, attendees take part in creative activities, dementia-friendly exercise, and informal peer support. Around 30–40 families have been signposted to further care through simple, compassionate conversations.
Karen Wilkinson, community liaison at Unique Senior Care, said: “We’re honoured to receive this award. It recognises the effort our whole community puts in every week, from our volunteers and partners to the families who join us and make the café what it is. It’s a safe, welcoming space with real heart.”
Unique Senior Care works closely with Solihull Council, Admiral Nurses, Alzheimer’s Society, Carers Trust, Age UK, Citizens Advice, Social Prescribers, and a team of 12 committed volunteers.
Each session is led by Marian, the café’s lead coordinator, who plays a key role in making the environment calm, inclusive, and well-organised. Their combined efforts ensure the café remains proactive and genuinely helpful.
The café also includes the Love to Move programme, developed by the British Gymnastics Foundation—a chair-based exercise initiative shown to improve cognitive function and mood among people living with dementia.
For more contact Karen at [email protected] or call 0121 667 5555.
