Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care will open a new CompassionART Café in Hemel Hempstead on Wednesday, January 21, offering a creative, supportive space specifically for anyone who has experienced bereavement or who may be feeling lonely due to illness.
The café will run from 2pm to 3.30pm every third Wednesday of the month, in partnership with The Liberty Tea Rooms & Community Hub.
The launch follows increasing demand from local residents. Many people have been asking when a Compassionate Café or a CompassionART Café will open in Hemel, and the charity is pleased to be expanding its reach to help meet this need.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a varied programme of arts and crafts activities designed to encourage relaxation, connection and mindfulness. Activities will evolve over time, but will include watercolours, textile art, collage and ceramic painting. These sessions aim to provide a gentle, welcoming environment that supports emotional wellbeing and helps people build friendships within their community.
The Hemel Hempstead CompassionART Café becomes the charity’s third of its kind, following the successful launch of cafés in St Albans in March 2024 and South Oxhey, which have already demonstrated the positive impact creative support can offer people coping with loss or isolation.
Liz, who attends the South Oxhey CompassionART Café, says: “CompassionART Cafés are a great addition to any community, bringing people together and offering important support. I love arts and crafts and find that it really allows me to slow down and relax, whilst chatting to other people and building friendships. We recently tried diamond art, and I found that having an art activity really helped me to stay present in the moment and focus on mindfulness.”
Richard Evans, chief executive officer at The Liberty Tea Rooms & Community Hub, adds: “We’re absolutely delighted to be partnering with Rennie Grove Peace to host a CompassionART Café at Liberty Tea Rooms. This collaboration brings together our shared heart for community, creativity and wellbeing. We’re excited to welcome people into a space that brings comfort, connection and hope.”
The new venue offers good accessibility, with a two-hour short-stay car park directly opposite The Liberty Tea Rooms & Community Hub, including disabled parking.
For more information, visit renniegrovepeace.org/compassionartcafes
0 Comments