Building back better

Our Welcome Café began meeting in the area of church we call the Welcome (the link between the Church Hall and the Church itself) in September 2021. It was one of several initiatives we began to help people meet up again and re-connect after the COVID pandemic.

The Welcome Café has gone from strength to strength since then, opening several days a week and two Saturdays a month. It is also used by a range of groups who meet on the church premises during the week.

The carpet flooring in the Welcome was over 20 years old and had been in use since the Welcome opened. We soon realised that it needed replacing, especially as the area was in use almost every day. We decided to apply to the County Council Building Back Better fund for help.

We owe County Councillor David Brown a massive thank you for the grant from that fund he gave us. The money was awarded in March, and the refurbishment was completed last week.

As you can see from the pictures, apart from new carpet in the Welcome itself, we also have new flooring in the kitchenette where we prepare the tea and coffee and wash up afterwards. The refurbishment has improved things for café customers, volunteers who staff the café and everyone else who uses that part of the church premises.

We hope you will be able to visit soon and enjoy our new facilities.