A Warm Welcome Awaits: A New Companionship Café in Costessey
Home Instead Norwich launches a new Companionship Café in Costessey on 16 January 2026, offering friendly social groups and weekly activities.
This January, Home Instead Norwich is delighted to be opening the doors to a brand-new Companionship Café in Costessey, launching on 16 January 2026. Designed to be friendly, relaxed, and welcoming, the café offers older adults a chance to enjoy good company, conversation, and shared activities in a supportive local setting.
The launch of the new event at Costessey Library builds on the success of Home Instead’s existing Companionship Cafés in Norwich and surrounding areas, which have already become much-loved weekly fixtures for many people in our community. These cafés are about connection, familiarity, and creating a place where everyone feels comfortable being themselves.
What Is a Companionship Café?
Home Instead’s Companionship Cafés are informal, community-based gatherings where people can meet others, enjoy a chat, and take part in light activities such as quizzes or games. There is no pressure to join in straight away. Some people come ready to talk, others prefer to listen at first, and both are equally welcome.
Each café is supported by Home Instead Care Professionals, who help create an atmosphere that feels calm, inclusive, and friendly. Over time, many attendees form real friendships, look forward to the weekly routine, and gain confidence from being part of a regular group.
Launching in Costessey – 16 January 2026
The new café in Costessey will take place at the library on the third Friday of each month between 2:00pm and 3:30pm. It will offer the same warm approach that has made the other Norwich cafés so popular. It provides another local option for people who would enjoy getting out of the house, meeting others, and spending time in good company.
Care Professional Gail, who is well known across the existing cafés, will be closely involved. Gail has a natural ability to bring people together and ensure that everyone feels included, whether they are attending for the first time or have been coming for months.
What Our Café Attendees Say
The feedback from people already attending Home Instead’s Companionship Cafés speaks volumes about the impact these groups have.
Linda shared:
“Gail is very helpful and inclusive, she makes everybody feel like they belong here. I was quiet when I first joined, but I got to know everyone quite quickly with Gail’s help. I feel safe here and enjoy the company.”
Another attendee commented:
“Very, very impressed by the way that Gail talks to everybody, she is so kind. This is my second time at the café; I am a shy person but the warm welcome I have received from Gail and everybody else here is really special. Kindness goes a long way.”
For many, the weekly activities are a highlight. Pauline said:
“We look forward to a quiz each week and we have a really good laugh; Gail makes the quiz fun and interesting. It keeps our brains active.”
Mick added:
“The thing about this group is being inclusive. Sometimes people might be a bit quiet or shy but Gail will always give everybody the same time.”
Companionship Cafés Available Across Norwich
Alongside the new Companionship Café launching in Costessey, we already run several well-established cafés across the area. These regular meet-ups give people the chance to choose a location that works best for them and enjoy the same friendly, inclusive atmosphere at each venue.
Companionship Cafés include:
– St Williams Way Library, Thorpe St Andrew
Held on the first Thursday of each month, offering a relaxed space for conversation, quizzes, and meeting others from the local area.
– Earlham Library
Taking place on the third Thursday of each month, this café provides a warm, welcoming environment for friendly chats and social time.
– Hellesdon Library
Hosted on the second Friday of each month, with tea, cake, and gentle group activities enjoyed by regular attendees.
– Taverham Library
Running on the last Tuesday of each month, giving people another local option to enjoy good company and a familiar routine.
Each café is attended by our friendly Care Professionals and follows the same inclusive approach, ensuring everyone feels welcome whether they are attending for the first time or returning each month. With multiple locations now available, and the addition of Costessey from 16 January, even more people across Norwich can take part in these friendly community gatherings.
Find Out More
Come and see us at Costessey Library between 2:00pm and 3:30pm (3rd Friday of the month):
Breckland Road, New Costessey, Costessey, Norwich NR5 0RW, United Kingdom
The launch of the Costessey Companionship Café marks another positive step in creating local spaces where people can come together and enjoy meaningful social time.
If you would like to learn more about the new café in Costessey or any of Home Instead Norwich’s other Companionship Cafés, the team would be happy to help. Get in touch to find out what’s available near you and how to get involved.
We’d love to see you there.