Oak Tree Housing Association is running cozy cafes offering free food and warm items to help the community through winter
Inverclyde: Oak Tree Housing Association is kicking off six winter warmer cafes at Branchton Community Centre and Broomhill Gardens. They’ll be running until the end of March, so there’s plenty of time to drop by.
Thanks to a £2,000 grant from the council’s warm hand of friendship fund, these events are all about bringing people together. You can grab free soup, hot rolls, cakes, and drinks, plus some warm items like gloves and blankets.
The first cafe at Branchton was a hit! Ellie Butcher, the community engagement officer, mentioned how these cafes create a cozy space for folks to enjoy homemade food and chat with others.
She said it’s all about connecting people and easing social isolation. They had 15 visitors, including six kids, which is fantastic to see.
Childminder Helen Shearer shared her excitement, saying she might come back for the other cafes. She loves the community vibe here, especially since she already attends a toddler group on Mondays and Thursdays.
Teresa O’Donnell, the cafe manager, is thrilled about the partnership with the council. She loves what they’re doing at Branchton and is happy to provide free meals and winter clothing to those in need.
Mark your calendars! The next cafes at Branchton are on February 17 and March 24 from 11 am to 1 pm. Broomhill will host theirs on January 29, February 26, and March 26 from 10 am to 12 noon. If you’re interested, just give Oak Tree a call at 01475 807000 or shoot them an email.
