Popular Newbury community hub seeks further support

Educafe at Newbury Library has been attracting interest throughout West Berkshire.

Around 180 people of all ages visit the café every Wednesday between 11am and 2pm.

And now to maintain its high-level of educational and pastoral care and planned expansion into nearby towns and villages, organisers are appealing to local businesses to lend their support.

Founders Clare Middleton, of The Berkshire School of English, and Colline Watts, of Colline's Kitchen, set out to create a safe and inclusive community space in July of last year for people to meet, talk and learn new skills.

The pair received initial funding from West Berkshire Council for three years to expand on their English languages classes and to create a community café delivered through the Diverse Ethnic Communities Support Agency.

Originally hosted in the gardens of The Globe, the café soon outgrew this venue and moved to Newbury Library earlier this year.

Visitors can play games, drink tea and eat cake, or seek practical advice, whether it be IT support and training or confidential help desks.

Everyone can explore the different sections and workshops, but there is no pressure to try anything.

The Knit and Natter area is always kept busy. One of its recent projects involved knitting blankets to send to refugees in Calais across just four sessions.

Last year, visitors knitted and crocheted blankets which were donated to Newbury Soup Kitchen.

The club also knitted 60 dolls to send to children in Ukraine and have already made a start on producing Christmas decorations.

The Chatty Corner welcomes those who are keen to network, in particular aimed at West Berkshire's foreign language community.

Multiple faiths and nationalities use this area including Ukrainians, Afghans, Syrians and Salvadorans.

This space is supervised by a dedicated team of volunteers under Margaret Neville, a retired teacher, who explained future plans for a day out to Bristol, sponsored by Great Western Railway.

Janine Ford, of Janie Ford Therapies & Yoga, leads free 30 minute chair yoga sessions at 2.15pm after each Educafe finishes.

Over the summer, she headed the Wellbeing Festival, a follow on from her Get Active campaign organised last year.

The Wellbeing Festival involved free and affordable fitness and wellbeing classes, including belly dancing, and was attended by more than 400 people.

Nutrition and health education classes are planned for the new year, dependent on obtaining funding.

The 'Parents Village' has grown to encompass over 180 parents, many of whom have formed their own club for working parents on Saturdays at the Waterside Youth and Community Centre.

Mrs Middleton recalled one occasion when a newly arrived Ukrainian mother needed clothes and equipment for her baby. The parents offered her help within hours.

The area hosts visiting childcare specialists sharing practical parenting advice, including tips on breastfeeding, weaning and potty training.

The café constantly works to alleviate the strain on local infrastructure by being the first point of contact for people on an informal basis, who they can then refer to the public service provider most suited to their needs.

To attend, volunteer or partner with Educafe, email info@educafeuk.co.uk or call 01635 936211.

The café will be closed from December 7 until January 11, 2023.