The Chill & Chat Community Cafe offers a warm and welcoming space for everyone. As well as a hot drink & snack, there are often activities on offer, visiting specialist support plus volunteers who can help with a friendly chat and signposting.
This activity is good for wellbeing because
- It is an opportunity to get together with old friends and meet new ones - social connection is a great mood booster and excellent for cognitive function
- The cafe is a warm, safe space, and if people just want a reason to get out and about, it's a reliable destination where anyone can drop in
- It can be difficult to ask for support, but at the cafe conversations are unpressured and relaxed. The support is there when people are ready for it.
How to contact
Website
Where to go
Countess Free Church
10 Chapel Street
Ely
CB6 1AD
What to Expect
The Cafe is dedicated to offering a warm welcome to everyone, the aim being to foster connection, a sense of belonging, and offer genuine support.
When you arrive, it's likely a volunteer will greet you and offer you a drink, or you can go to the kitchen hatch at the back of the hall. Seating is laid out in a cafe style, you can sit wherever you want to. There are usually activities on offer such as jigsaws, games or crafting, with which you can just join in.
If you want some quiet time, or you'd like to use the opportunity to work from a warm space, that's fine too. There is no pressure to join in with anything unless you want to.
You can drop in to The Cafe whenever it is open and stay for whatever time you want to.
More Information
The Cafe is hosted by The Countess Free Church, which is situated at the Lynn Road end of Chapel Street, very close to the city centre and bus stops on Market Street. The closest car park is St Mary's Street where you can park for free for 2 hours; it's approximately a 5 minute walk from there to the venue. There is no parking available at the church other than for vehicles displaying a disabled badge.
The entrance is visible as you step off the street, it is via the short covered walkway and through the double doors there. As you enter, toilet facilities for all are off the entrance foyer, and the main hall where the cafe is situated is immediately through a door on the left. These parts of the building are fully accessible.
Everyone is welcome - people of all faiths and none attend the cafe.
The Chill & Chat Community Cafe is currently open on Fridays, 9am - 11am during term times.
It is free to attend Chill & Chat. Refreshments and activities are also free of charge.
How to contact
Website
Where to go
Countess Free Church
10 Chapel Street
Ely
CB6 1AD
