FAB Café welcomes older LGBT+ people

A new weekly activity has been set up at the Neck of the Woods Café in St Werburgh’s Community Centre to provide a friendly and welcoming space for older people who identify as LGBT+ to meet up and make friends. The initiative is led by Friends Ageing Better (FAB), an Age UK Bristol service providing social opportunities for older people across the city.

Ben from South Bristol has become a regular at the FAB LGBT+ Café: “It’s great that there is something in the week, it really makes time fly. There is a good mix of people from different backgrounds and everyone is very friendly. I would recommend it to anyone, plus the coffee is very good.”

Silvia Jimenez Cruz, Friend Ageing Better Coordinator, shares: “We received several requests for an activity like this for older people from the LBGT+ community. Neck of the Woods have been a great partner at allowing us to use their space and making it friendly and accessible.”

“Friends Ageing Better aims to connect people within communities by bridging the gap between older people and local spaces, such as community centres and cafes. It is a very simple concept: come as you are, grab a cuppa and have a chat”, she adds.

Jim from Keynsham participates regularly at “The Rainbow Café” run by GayWest in Bath on weekends. He has joined the group at Neck of the Woods since the start, he shares: “This is an event not to be missed. The atmosphere is first class, friendly and relaxed.”

The FAB LGBT+ Café takes place every Thursday from 10am -12pm at Neck of the Woods Café. There is a reserved table for the group and is facilitated by Age UK Bristol. FAB is currently looking for volunteers to help support this weekly FAB Café, if you are interested in the role, contact Silvia on fab@ageukbristol.org.uk (all ages welcome).