WARRINGTON-based health and social care charity Making Space has relaunched its day service as the Connect Hub – now featuring the newly opened Café Connect.
This vibrant new addition offers a welcoming place where the community can access vital information, emotional support, and practical assistance aimed at enhancing mental wellbeing.
Located at the charity’s HQ on Allen Street, just a stone’s throw from Warrington town centre, the Connect Hub is open to individuals aged 18 and over. It provides a secure and nurturing environment for those managing a range of low-level mental health conditions
The people Making Space support will benefit from 12 months of personalised support designed to foster independence, recovery, and active community participation through various groups and activities.
Heart of the Connect Hub is the new Café Connect, which is open to the public serving delicious, affordable meals but also fostering a sense of community through friendly interaction and support.
Nick Farmer, Chief Operating Officer at Making Space, said: “The addition of Café Connect to our Connect Hub day service is truly exciting. It provides a friendly, inclusive space where local residents can connect with one another, enjoy budget-friendly meals, and continues to provide a safe space for those who have benefitted from support from the Connect Hub. The café is more than just a place to eat; it’s a community connector aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation, which are often linked to mental health challenges.
“At Making Space, we are committed to designing our services with input from those who use them. Moving forward, we will collaborate closely with the community to better understand their challenges and refine our projects to provide the most effective support.”
Café Connect participates in the national Chatty Café initiative, featuring dedicated ‘Chatter snd Natter’ tables where patrons can engage in conversation with fellow customers. These sessions are held every Wednesday from 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm.
“In addition, and in response to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, we are also launching the ‘Together Café’ project to help individuals on low incomes access nutritious food. We will offer practical sessions on budgeting for healthy eating, cooking from scratch with ingredients to take home, culminating in a cookbook with valuable tips for affordable food shopping.”
Thanks to a generous £19,956 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, Café Connect and the “Together” project is set to thrive over the next two years, supporting both the local community and the broader goals of Making Space.
Café Connect is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm, with extended weekend hours available on the Making Space website. For more information about the Connect Hub and Café Connect, or to make a referral for support, please visit makingspace.co.uk/connect-hub-cafe-connect
