Hub

in the community, by the community, for the community!

In March 2020, the Covid-19 Support Scheme was born, with a simple aim of supporting anybody in our village who needed help with collecting prescriptions, shopping for those who were clinically extremely vulnerable, the provision of advice from an experienced advisor with Citizens Advice, access to our own village foodbank as well as access to mental health support.

Together with a large group of village volunteers and the generosity of spirit characterised by our wonderful community, we have delivered hundreds of food parcels, advice, prescriptions, shopping, and a listening ear to those asking for help.

As we emerged from the global pandemic, in September 2021, we transitioned the Covid-19 Support Scheme into the Community Hub, with a vision that it is 'in the community, by the community, for the community'.

Every Monday morning, the Community Hub provides a gathering point, equipped with various services to support our village, held in the church Octagon buildings, between 10am and 12pm.

The Hub offers:

The Coffee Stop for a cuppa and a chat and perhaps a piece of cake or two!

The village face-to-face Foodbank, helping those struggling to put food on the table. Clients can simply turn up, have a chat, in the strictest confidence and obtain our support through their challenging time. Clients do not need foodbank vouchers, just the courage to turn up and ask for help. We have a confidential area where leaders are happy to help.

A formal Citizens Advice satellite bureau operates each week, where once again, clients can drop in and talk to a qualified and experienced advisor. Whether it's help with benefits, debts, immigration, legal matters, employment, housing, you name it, we've probably come across it and can support clients pointing them in the right direction. Since March 2020, the Support Scheme has provided over 600 pieces of professional advice in response to requests from within our community, so we know there is a need, and we are determined to provide the support and advice needed throughout our village.

We have a trained mental health first aider available to offer a listening, empathetic and non-judgemental listening ear. Visitors just need to take a deep breath and summon the courage to walk in and tell us you'd like to have a chat.

There is a Parish Council Surgery once a month (week 4), there is also a Parish Councillor available, enabling community member to talk to about their thoughts, observations and concerns about our village. In tandem with the Citizens Advice team, we feel confident we are well equipped to not only listen, but find the right sort of advice and guidance, whatever issue visitor are requesting help with.

Twice a month (weeks 1 & 3), we offering classes focusing on Health & Wellbeing with, exercise, visiting speakers and exploration of all things healthy followed by coffee and (if you feel tempted), a cuppa and a piece of homemade cake in the Coffee Stop.