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Community cafe to tackle loneliness opens in town

BBC One of the directors of the cafe, Jason Baker, wearing a black hoodie and smiling into the camera.BBC
Jason Baker said the group had found older people were looking for somewhere to meet

A community cafe, which has opened in a Somerset town, aims to bring people together and "help with loneliness".

Chard CommuniTEA Waffle is a non-profit organisation which will provide space for individuals and groups to meet.

One of the directors, Jason Baker, said: "We found a lot of people, especially older people, were lonely and really just stuck for somewhere to go.

"We knew of a similar project in a town quite close to us and we thought we would see how we could replicate that here in Chard."

Manager Bleu Gover is pictured smiling into the camera. She is wearing a black jumper with Chard CommuniTEA cafe written on it. She is standing in front of a tree painting on a wall.
Manager Bleu Gover said she is enjoying seeing people use the space

Manager Bleu Gover said it has taken months of hard work and dedication to get the cafe on Holyrood Street open.

"To have people sat down and enjoying the works of our labour is amazing," she added.

The cafe also offers a "community table" to encourage conversation, a family room and work space.

Mr Baker said: "We also wanted a space for looked after children and contact workers so that we can work closer with social services to make a local area where people can meet."

The entrance of the Chard CommuniTEA community cafe. The sign is black and white. It says Waffle and a place for everyone.
The community cafe aims to be a place for everyone

The community cafe will also host Somerset Village and Community Agents, which provides advice and support.

The village agent for Chard, Peter Collar said: "The idea is that local people can seek us out if they need face-to-face support.

"It's lovely we can base ourselves in a place where people can come and find us."

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