Last winter TDC partnered with BELTA, The Old Boat and Hollingdean Development Trust to run a four week pilot of Community Living Rooms. Community Living Rooms are drop-in warm spaces for local communities to help alleviate the Cost of Living crisis by providing a place people could go during the day, with relaxing activities, drinks, food and other support.
Communities were surveyed on what sort of activities they would like to do and a programme was drawn up. The Belta Community Hub ran on Tuesday afternoons. To make the space welcoming bunting was hung outside, posters were put up to promote the activities and a sign board outside gave details of what was available.
Support on offer included: games, hot soup, art activities, books, wifi, phone charging and a friendly warm welcome for everyone.
The offer of food was particularly well received, with the soup -- provided by local food project Sussex Surplus-- proving very popular.
If you are a local community organisation who would like to run activities at BELTA's Community Living Room please get in touch with them via their website. Or contact Sara Fernee at TDC on [email protected] or call 07307683581.
"Chair yoga gives you a boost of energy. Its nice for people to come to the community centre and do it together as a group – it spurs you on."
"Tanya is a gentle and warm teacher. I found the movements manageable for a beginner. It made me feel really uplifted and calm."
“I noticed the activities helped to people relax in the space and stay a bit longer. They chatted and shared what they were making. This was especially true for people coming in for the first time, but also regulars got involved’.
Sara Fernee TDC Project Support Worker
We are currently evaluating the project and deciding how to build on its successful pilot scheme.