Political opinion with Alison Bennett MP: Ageing well at Befriended’s ‘Café Neuro’

Parliament has been closed for the Easter break, giving me more time in Mid Sussex and the chance to meet lots of you.

I started this recess with a visit to Café Neuro, hosted by Befriended at the Salvation Army Hall on Cyprus Road in Burgess Hill.

Founded by Gail and supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, Café Neuro runs every Monday morning as a welcoming space for carers and people living with neurological conditions such as dementia, memory loss, Parkinson’s, or those recovering from strokes.

It offers a chance to chat, receive support—including help with form-filling—and enjoy a hot drink and something sweet.

Craft activities and games also provide plenty for people to get involved with.

Gail and the Befriended team have created a friendly space where people can socialise with others or take a much-needed break from caring.

Their volunteers play a central role, bringing energy and companionship to those who attend.

On this visit, they were even leading Easter crafts.

It is clear that everyone involved benefits from the warm atmosphere.

I spoke with Gail about her wider work in the community and the challenges many people face as they grow older.

We agreed on the importance of focusing more on “ageing well” and supporting older people to make informed choices that help them enjoy their later years.

We discussed the challenges of finding the right housing as we get more frail.

This is a subject that I know worries many older people and their families.

At the start of the year, I met privately with the housing minister to raise the importance of providing adaptable, manageable housing that is suitable for everyone regardless of their income.

Whilst I will continue pushing for action from the government that empowers people to age well, I know that initiatives like Café Neuro show the positive impact of voluntary groups; keeping people connected so that they can remain at the heart of their community.