The Tithe Barn Community Wellbeing Cafe works in partnership with a variety of organisations across Abergavenny and the surrounding area to create an environment and venue that support community gatherings and meet the needs of individuals within our community. The Community Wellbeing Cafe provides a venue where groups, advice services, therapies and resources can come together to share information and network. Planned outcomes for the first year: To provide a venue for community groups, including Crafting 4 Cancer, a dementia-friendly cafe, a learning disabilities group, a men's group, a visual impairment group and other identified groups. To involve residents of Abergavenny and the surrounding area as contributors to the development and delivery of a community-based wellbeing cafe. To offer support and resources for current and future groups and community developments. To arrange functions to support groups. To offer an accessible venue where community practitioners can provide services such as mindfulness, relaxation and advice sessions. To run a variety of wellbeing workshops, such as craft and support groups. To create and promote volunteering opportunities in the local area. Key milestone: Opening the Community Wellbeing Cafe In its first year, the Community Wellbeing Cafe worked towards operating five days a week and providing a venue to support the local community and community groups. The cafe offered a simple, nutritious menu. The planned opening stages were: Stage 1 - All day Tuesday Stage 2 - All day Tuesday and Friday Stage 3 - All day Tuesday, Friday and Saturday Stage 4 - All day Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday Stage 5 - All day Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Opening times were determined by the appointment of full-time staff and the number of volunteers recruited and trained. Progress in the first year The Community Wellbeing Cafe went from strength to strength in its first year, offering a variety of wellbeing groups. Monday - Parkinson's support group (a.m.); Memory Cafe and carer support group (p.m.) Tuesday - Crafting 4 Cancer support group and art classes (a.m. and p.m.) Wednesday - Coffee morning (a.m.); seasonal craft session (p.m.) Friday - Social painting (p.m.) The Community Wellbeing Cafe also hosted several one-off courtyard events, including a children's activity day during the summer holidays, another event in October, and a further event planned for December. These events were organised and supported by recruited volunteers and members of the Abergavenny community. The Community Wellbeing Cafe worked with the community to identify local needs and provide appropriate services and groups. It has supported people before and after diagnosis across a range of conditions and lived experiences. The Community Wellbeing Cafe helped community members feel valued by creating volunteering opportunities. In its first year, it recruited 27 volunteers for a range of roles and worked with the Abergavenny Jobcentre to offer voluntary work experience. The Tithe Barn Community Wellbeing Cafe works in partnership with a variety of organisations across Abergavenny and the surrounding area, including GAVO, Bridges, Cwtch Angels and Monmouthshire County Council, to create an environment and venue that nurture community gatherings and meet the needs of individuals within our community. The Community Wellbeing Cafe provides a venue where groups, advice services, therapies and resources can come together to share information and network.

An initial community consultation event was held to build collaboration and meaningful co-production with stakeholders. The event aimed to engage the local community and gather views and ideas about what the Community Wellbeing Cafe could offer. It was supported by Monmouthshire County Council and GAVO, which also helped recruit additional volunteers from across the community. These volunteers are willing to give their time to support the cafe's start-up and continued operation and to help shape its future development.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration