Coffee and Caring

A NEWCASTLE café is putting the art into arti-san snacks – with help from a local charity.

Café 1901, in Jesmond, Newcastle, hosts its first exhibition by members of Gateshead Carers Association (GCA) this month.

The art exhibition on the theme of food and café culture runs until the first week of July 2011 when a display by GCA’s photographic group on the theme of Writing with Light takes over.

The mixed art group has been meeting weekly at Gateshead Carers Association for the past four years, working closely with colleagues from the photography class.

The art group is described as a “class outside the classroom” with members working on their own subject matter as well as dedicated projects such as Walk in the Park, based around Saltwell Park, Gateshead.

Member Sandra Brooks describes the group as “relaxing and relaxed.”

Café 1901 owner Ashna Boyers said: “We have a gallery wall, which is dedicated to local artists, where we exhibit their work.

“Customers have commented that Jesmond has been “waiting for something like this.”

The independent, family-run Café 1901, which is run by Ashna and her husband Tim, specialises in serving home-cooked food and artisan coffee.

It is based in the old church hall, in St George’s Terrace, and is named after the year, in which the hall was built.

1901 was a momentous year. Queen Victoria died and King Edward VII ascended the British throne.

Gateshead Carers Association is a charity. It exists to relieve the stresses experienced by carers in Gateshead by providing information, advice and support services to carers, to help them and their dependents.

Photography and art groups are provided as short breaks for carers away from their caring responsibilities.

For more information, call Judith Dunn, Campaigns and Development Worker, on (0191) 490 0121 or judith.dunn@gatesheadcarers.com

Café 1901 is open seven days per week and offers free wi-f for customers. Opening hours are 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm Sundays. Its telephone number is (0191) 340 9794.

Established in 1996, Gateshead Carers Association is a registered charity.

Its aim is to support, inform and represent carers. GCA has a particular role in ensuring that the voice of carers is heard and that carers are able to influence the development of policy and services.

GCA’s current activities include running a number of interest groups including art, craft, photography and weight control, providing information and advice services and the Carers Action Forum.