Dementia Life Virtual Carers Cafe
A free weekly space for the people behind the diagnosis.
A free, online drop-in for anyone supporting a loved one living with dementia.
The person with dementia doesn't attend. That's the whole point. You can speak freely about the hard bits. This is a space to talk about the guilt, the exhaustion and the struggles without worrying about being overheard.
You don't have to call yourself a carer to come. Most people who join don't. Wives, husbands, sons, daughters, partners, siblings, friends — if you're trying to do the best you can for someone you love, you belong here.
Join a Virtual Carers Café Today
Fill out the form below to get access to the carers cafes direct to your inbox. You don't have to join every session, or even every week but you'll have the peace of mind to know that these are here for you when you need them.
Join Us On Wednesdays and Fridays
How Do I Join
Pick the session that suits you and sign up on the meeting page. We'll send you the joining link 30 mins before the meeting starts.
You will receive:
- The date and time
- Step-by-step joining instructions
- A button to click straight into the meeting
If you're not great with tech, don't worry — we've designed it so you can join with one tap.
If you have any problems you can always message us via our "Message" feature on the website
What To Expect
Sessions run for around 45 minutes. They're informal and conversational — there's no agenda you have to stick to. People talk about what's on their mind that week. A difficult appointment, a wandering night, a moment that floored them, or sometimes a small win worth marking. The wins matter. We share them too.
You don't have to speak if you don't want to. Plenty of people come for the first few sessions just to listen, and that's fine.
Who's in the Room?
The Cafes are for carers, family and friends only. They not for the person with the dementia diagnosis. That boundary is what makes the space honest.
We keep group sizes small enough that everyone gets a chance to talk if they want to. If a session gets too big, we break into smaller rooms so the conversation stays close.
Frequently Asked Questions
We use simple, free video software that runs in any web browser. The exact platform is listed on each session's product page, but in every case you just click the link in your email
They will all be free to use and easy to join, though, so don't worry if you're not good with computers!
Twice a week — Wednesday evenings and Friday afternoons. We chose those times because they're what carers we spoke to said they could realistically make. If a different time would work better for you, tell us. We're always listening.
No. We use light-touch prompts when conversation needs a nudge, but otherwise people lead the room with whatever they've brought through the door. Some weeks are practical — benefits, finding the right kind of care, navigating an appointment. Some weeks it's just somewhere to sit with people who get it.
Sorry, no. The Cafes are for family and carers only, and that boundary is what lets people speak honestly. If you're looking for groups your loved one can attend with you, Alzheimer's Society and Dementia UK both run local memory cafes — and our Support Finder can help you find one near you.
Yes. Always. The Cafes are part of our community work and will never sit behind a paywall. If you'd like to support what we do, you can become a Supporter or donate — but you don't have to.
If you're worried about someone you love who has dementia, you belong here. No badges or job titles required. Most people who join us never use the word "carer" about themselves — they're just trying to do right by their loved one.