St Austell Parkinson’s Café and Home Instead
We started helping to lead the Parkinson’s Café in St Austell, Bethel in November 2025.
The Café was started many years ago by Nick and Jan Wilder, who have created a wonderful space that offers friendship, activities, and advice for people living with Parkinson’s across St Austell and the surrounding towns and villages.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, often causing symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and slower movement. It can also impact speech, mood, and energy levels. While there is currently no cure, the right support, exercise, and community connection can make a real difference to quality of life — and that’s exactly what our Café aims to provide.
Over the years, the Café has become a warm and welcoming community — a place to share experiences, laugh together, and support one another. Each session offers something different: from guest speakers, gentle exercise classes, and arts and crafts, to a shared lunch, live music from local singers, and plenty of good conversation over a cup of tea. We also provide support and advice on living well with Parkinson’s, connecting people with local services and helpful information.
Meeting Times for the St Austell Cafe and Location
Rhiannon takes the lead as our volunteer coordinator, and together our aim is to build on everything that already works so well, while bringing in some fresh ideas to keep the Café vibrant and engaging.
The Rotary Club of St Austell continue to support the Parkinsons Cafe with enthusiastic volunteers at each event. They are involved in many local initiatives and meet twice a month for dinner at the Brittania Inn. If you would like to know more Rotary Club of St. Austell. They meet often for a meal with fantastic speakers, raise money for local charities and support this cafe and the Memory Cafe in Holmbush.
A warm welcome is extended to one and all at the St Austell Parkinson’s Drop-In Café. You can find us at Bethel Methodist Chapel, Brockstone Road, St Austell PL25 3DW, every 2nd Wednesday of the month, between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm in the small hall. Free parking is available.
We aim to provide fellowship, information, and a programme of fun activities, with guest speakers and exercise to music. Tea and coffee are provided in abundance, and a light two-course lunch is available at a nominal charge.
At our Christmas Cafe we had Rachel Best singing, a lovely lunch and enjoyed some Christmas Bingo.
For more information, please contact Rhiannon or Patrick on 01726 829312. or [email protected]
About Home Instead Mid Cornwall
At Home Instead Mid Cornwall, we provide high-quality, relationship-led home care that helps older adults continue living safely and independently in their own homes. Our Care Professionals offer companionship, personal care, and specialist dementia support, including care for those living with Parkinson’s, dementia, or long-term health conditions. We are proud to support local initiatives like the St Austell Parkinson’s Café and to make a positive difference in the lives of older people across St Austell, Fowey, Bodmin, and surrounding areas. To learn more about our services, visit Home Instead Mid Cornwall — helping you and your loved ones live better, every day.
For more information on Parkinsons – Parkinsons UK in Cornwall
January Update: St Austell Parkinson’s Café
We’re looking forward to the St Austell Parkinson’s Café on Wednesday 14th January, with two special guests joining us.
We are pleased to welcome back Kate Walters from Parkinson’s Cornwall , who will share information about local support and lead some fun, gentle mobility exercises suitable for all abilities.
We are also delighted to have Laura Walker from The Sensory Trust, who will talk about their Creative Spaces Project and how sensory approaches can support people living with dementia. Laura will also touch on the link between Parkinson’s and dementia, as some people with Parkinson’s may experience cognitive changes over time.
Rotary Club of St. Austell will be assisting with a volunteer as usual.
The café offers a friendly, informative, welcoming space to meet others, share experiences and enjoy a light lunch. If you’d like to attend or find out more, please get in touch with Rhiannon or Patrick at Home Instead Mid Cornwall on 01726 829312.
