Hub at St Peters
When was the group started and what was the the ethos behind the plans? The Hub at St Peter’s started in 2010 with the re-ordering of the church which was funded by a Government grant called the Surestart Initiative. Our mission is to tackle rural isolation / loneliness and to build community. We have been fortunate in securing subsequent lottery funding to allow expansion of our reach and provision. A band of more than fifty volunteers assist with a range of tasks from baking cakes and helping in the café to transporting residents for appointments, collecting prescriptions etc.
Where are you based? We are based in St Peter’s Church, behind the shop in Peterchurch which is on the main road through the Golden Valley.
Is there parking available? Yes, there is roadside parking and a small car park by the playground opposite; we have disabled access.
What is served at the café? We serve hot and cold drinks including proper coffee! There are home made soups and cakes to choose from plus a different chef’s special main and dessert every week. Gluten free and vegetarian options are always available. On the first Saturday of each month we are open for breakfast when we serve anything from beans on toast to a full fry up. Porridge is also available! Everything on the menu is available to eat in or take away.
What regular weekly or monthly events do you have? Community choir sessions take place every Monday evening. On Wednesdays we reserve several tables for Chatty Café; we now have 12 regular attendees some of whom are brought here by community transport courtesy of the lottery funding. Every Thursday morning we hold a free Kids Play Café from 9 - 11am (with health visitors attending from 10am) and on Thursday evenings from 5 - 7pm we host a free Youth Café for 11-16 year olds which is run by fully trained youth workers. Local artists and residents display their work here, most of which is for sale.
Can you tell us more about your library? Our quirky space high up in the Bell Tower is part of Hereford Libraries and is run solely by volunteers. There is a lift so it is easily accessible to all. Nearly 2,000 books were borrowed last year!
The Hub is a Talk Community Hub - What does this mean? Each Talk Community Hub is unique, as it is a reflection of it’s local community.They provide a safe place where people can access up to date wellbeing information and sign posting to local and national resources. They also connect people to services, groups and activities, either within the local area or across the county, which can help them support their own wellbeing and independence.
What facilities are available for events? We hold our own events such as the recent Burns Supper but also the venue is available for hire. We have underfloor heating, a small commercial kitchen and amazing acoustics! The space can seat up to 120 for plays / concer ts or 60 around tables for a meal. Our audio visual system is about to be upgraded.
What events would be suitable for the space you have? We take regular bookings for talks, meetings, conferences, celebration meals, fitness workshops etc.The kitchen is available for hire with the venue if required or we can provide staff and food / drink.
How can people get involved at the hub? Anyone is welcome to telephone, email or pop in (see advert for contact details) and have a chat about volunteering to see what would suit them in terms of tasks and time. Help is always welcome in the café, especially during the summer, whether that be peeling vegetables, washing up or waiting at table.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know? The National Lottery funding has provided us with a proper kitchen, paid the wages of core staff members and covered the cost of youth activities and training. When this funding comes to an end in May 2025 we will be even more dependant on volunteers and donations to keep it running, Do pop in on your way past – we look forward to welcoming you!