When is a Wednesday not just a Wednesday? When that Wednesday morning is spent at the Community Cuppa, Place of Welcome, at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Church Aston, that’s when!
Started around two years ago as simply a place to be, this group of volunteers could never have dreamt of how successful and popular their Wednesday morning meeting would become. Growing from a few volunteers who met together outside due to covid restrictions, with roughly six chairs and some home baked cake, this Place of Welcome has grown to offer community outreach to a community who embrace it fully. From the moment I walked in, I was made to feel incredibly welcome and encouraged to get involved in as much, or as little, as I wanted.
Over a cup of coffee and an amazing slice of carrot cake, Hilary, one of the Community Cuppa Co-ordinators told us how last year’s Warm Space held here had helped to shape the current group and reach out to other members of the community. Securing funding for an Activities Co-ordinator last year, Community Cuppa is now proud to host a Citizen’s Advice Bureau Outreach every fortnight. Held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, CAB base themselves in a corner of the hall and offer a private space for anyone to approach for advice, signposting and guidance on matters that affect them and the community. Also, once a month, the Independent Living Centre host an outreach session here. There’s often a pop-up library and today, an informal art session was taking place during my visit to the group. And let’s not forget about the weekly yoga sessions!
Run by Gail, founder of Meridian Life, the chair-based yoga and meditation session held every week at the far end of the church hall is growing from strength to strength. Focusing on gentle exercises, Gail told me many of the class participants have never tried yoga before joining in at this Place of Welcome but now attend weekly and have reported an increase in balance, co-ordination and overall mental wellbeing. There is no pressure to join in with every move; people are welcomed to take it at their own pace and do what they can and want to do.
That’s very much the feel of this group; a relaxed atmosphere where everyone is friendly and can get involved in the many activities that regularly take place or, simply chat with others and make new friends. A regular visitor to the group, Joan, told me, (whilst her husband was taking part in the yoga session) this was the perfect group for meeting new people and was especially important to people who live alone. Community Cuppa has many male guests who attend regularly. “We’ve never had so many widowers!” says regular attendee and PCC member, Billie; adding that “they all come looking somewhat lost but when they start to come regularly, they don’t feel quite so isolated”. Billie is proud to be a part of this community as it comes together and regrows after the pandemic, offering so much more than a cup of tea and a biscuit.
My visit included a chat with Bob, sat at the side of the relaxed art session taking place. Bob, having moved onto other things after attending art college at age 18, was encouraged by the local vicar 18 months ago to get involved again after a local community project was a success.
Before the session draws to a close, Hilary tells me they are currently trying to encourage younger people to visit the Place of Welcome. Being close to the local primary school, Community Cuppa could be the perfect place for isolated mums who might need a friendly face, a cup of tea and maybe even a spot of chair-based yoga whilst little folk are at nursery! One lady recently said to Hilary that, she really didn’t feel like getting up one morning, then remembered it was the yoga morning so got up and made it to the Church Hall to participate; highlighting further how much of a difference this group really makes to the community and all those who use it. Including Margaret, another volunteer, who joked with me she never actually put her name down to be involved as she thought she was doing enough already, however, she’s “been here ever since” and this month will mark her two-year anniversary of volunteering at Community Cuppa, St Andrew’s!
Open every Wednesday at 10am – 1pm, Community Cuppa at St Andrew’s Church Hall, 5 Wallshead Way, Church Aston, Newport TF10 9JG, is a wonderful example of what can happen when people come together, and a community grows. My thanks to everyone who took the time to chat with me during my visit and even bigger thanks to all the volunteers who, without their dedication, friendly faces and tea making skills, none of this would happen. Looking forward to my next visit already!