Conversation Works |

Conversation Works exists to provide support and services to enable people living with dementia, in and around the towns of Buckfastleigh and Ashburton in south Devon, to live better and maintain their independence and well-being.

We are a small and friendly social enterprise passionate about making a difference which we do through conversation and connection.

Please contact Kathrine or take a look at our Facebook page to see what we have been up to.

Get In Touch

What We Do

Everything we do is underpinned by Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) and designed to get people talking, thinking, and making connections.

CST Groups

We run small and very friendly groups in and around Buckfastleigh. The programme consists of 2–hour weekly sessions designed for people with mild to moderate dementia, providing activities to work the brain as well as conversation and laughter. Please contact for times and venues.

Buckfastleigh Memory Café

Travel by steam train through the Devon countryside with South Devon Railway. Our memory café meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month, 3.30 – 5pm: providing refreshments and support. This is a safe and welcoming space for local people with memory problems and those that care for them. Donation only.

Working Individually

Enjoyable and stimulating CST sessions in the comfort of your own home and tailored to your interests and needs. Lots of conversation, reminiscence and meaningful activity. Sessions last for 1 hour and are delivered 1:1.

Group Sessions

From care homes to social groups, we provide multi-sensory object-based sessions on a range of themes customised to the interests, skills and needs of the group. The sessions are designed to encourage conversation and to get people thinking.

Partnership Project: Life Story

Working with Moorland Community Caring to produce Life Story books and memory boxes for people living with dementia. These are a wonderful resource for the beneficiaries and their families.

Partnership Project: Life on the Edge

Together with Doorstep Arts we designed and produced 50 craft packs created for people living with dementia for the multi-partner Life on the Edge project led by the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

About Conversation Works

Conversation Works is a community interest company and was set up by Kathrine Bailey in May 2022. We are a registered social enterprise that exists to support and benefit people living with dementia in Buckfastleigh and surrounding areas.

Kathrine has always loved working with people, objects and stories. Her career has taken her from museums in London to working with people living with dementia in Devon. She trained in CST in 2016 and passionately believes in this approach, especially when combined with the multi-sensory and reminiscence potential of her collection of wonderful objects.

What People Say About Us

This is just a small sample of the incredible feedback we have received. If you want to see what we can do to help you, get in touch.

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I’ve already observed a positive effect on Ian since attending the CST group. He’s entering more into conversations with others and he even volunteered at the Arts Centre on Friday night. It’s really lovely to see so thank you.

– Nicola

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The Buckfastleigh and Ashburton communities are served really well by the partnership between Conversation Works and Moorland Community Caring. Kathrine has delivered sessions with us and for us; she shares our connecting communities philosophy. Kathrine goes the extra mile in terms of preparation and delivery.

– Jayne Edwards (Moorland Community Caring)

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Kathrine’s mystery object sessions are the perfect combination of reminiscence, creative thinking and having fun. They generate lots of conversation too and I’d recommend them to anyone

– Dementia Wellbeing Worker (Kingscare)

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The session was excellent, so enjoyable and everyone seemed to be engaging and chatting away – it was great fun and quite different from our usual sessions!

– Paignton Memory Cafe

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any other questions please do get in touch.

What is CST?

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based treatment developed by researchers at University College London (UCL). It is recommended by NICE and the Alzheimer’s Society for people with mild to moderate dementia. CST was developed in the UK and is designed to delay cognitive decline and improve people’s well-being.

More information can be found http://www.cstdementia.com/

What are the benefits of CST?

CST is the only non-drug treatment recommended to improve memory and thought processes, independence and wellbeing. It aims to actively stimulate and engage people with dementia, whilst providing an accessible, welcoming and sociable space to meet and form supportive relationships.

What happens in a CST group session?

Each session is based around a different theme and interpreted through different activities from discussion, creativity and reminiscence to cognitive exercises involving words and numbers. All activities are based on people’s opinions rather than facts and aim to encourage new ideas, thoughts and associations as well as to strengthen concentration, thinking and communication skills.

What is the structure of the CST group?

The same group (maximum of 6 people) meets every week for 2 hours. Research demonstrating the effectiveness of CST shows the importance of continuity and consistency, so it is recommended that group members commit to attend every week for a minimum of 14 sessions. Longer term attendance, known as Maintenance CST, works to continue the benefits.

How do I join the CST group?

The first step is to contact us to find out where and when groups are running. If there is a space in the group a home visit is arranged to discuss your needs and take a few details followed by an offer to attend a free trial session to meet the group and get a taste of what we do.

How much does it cost?

There is a charge of £25/30 per CST session (dependant on type of membership). If you are eligible for full or part funding from Social Care we are an approved contractor with Devon County Council. This financial investment pays dividends in maintaining independence and identity.

Can I attend a Memory Café?

The Buckfastleigh memory café is for local people living with dementia or other memory problems and those that care for them. There is no need to book but if you would like to know more regarding access please give us a call. It is in a designated carriage pulled by a heritage steam train operated by South Devon Railway and departs at 3.45pm precisely. Currently there is no wheel chair access to the carriage. There is a toilet on board but fully accessible toilets are available on the platform at Buckfastleigh and Totnes where the train stops for 15 minutes.