Introducing Wetherby’s Community Café & Advice Hub

Have you visited Wetherby’s Community Cafe and Advice Hub yet?

Open weekly every Friday morning between 10am and midday, the cafe is located in St James’ Church Rooms between Muse Cafe and St James’ Church. The aim of the cafe is to provide a free social place, open to residents of Wetherby and the surrounding villages, with access to FREE advice. Our new project co-ordinator Hayley said:

“Working together with other oragnisations means we’ve been able to add something really special in the heart of Wetherby. This new cafe is about so much more than a cuppa, it’s about connection. It’s a free, welcoming space where people of all ages can relax, meet with others, and access free face-to-face advice and support that isn’t available anywhere else locally. With free refreshments, a toddler area and a friendly atmosphere, it’s a community resource we hope everyone can enjoy.”

Background to our Foodbank and the new Community Cafe and Advice Hub:

Wetherby and District Foodbank was founded in 2015 as a means of helping people who were in temporary crisis by providing an emergency box of food to last for around three days. Over the years it became increasingly apparent that this approach provided only temporary relief, a sticking plaster for far deeper and more complex problems, such as:
Out of control debt, low wages, redundancy, delays in accessing benefits.

The idea for a Community Cafe was initiated by the Foodbank to go a little deeper into the many reasons why someone might be experiencing financial instability. If people can be helped to stabilise their financial situation before they need emergency food, then they might never need to use a foodbank at all.

Establishing a Community Cafe And Advice Hub in Wetherby means far more people can access the kind of help and advice they need when they need it.

Every week, an expert from Money Buddies, West Yorkshire’s largest independent money advice service, will be there to provide confidential one-to-one debt, money and benefits advice. In addition, representatives from a range of different organisations, groups and local councillors will be available, providing information and advice on issues such as education, legal advice, food (that’s us), health and well-being, job hunting and training through Smartworks. A monthly calendar of attending organisations will be available at the cafe each week.

Where possible, we operate an appointment system for meetings with the various advice services so please book by calling 07840 455 725

Do you or someone you know have a problem that could be helped by coming along? Making sure this resource is a success means we need local people to use and support it. Why not spread the word by liking the Community Cafe Facebook page (link here), or come along yourself for a free cuppa?

A monthly calendar of organisations attending the Cafe will be available at the cafe each week, as well as on the Cafe’s dedicated Facebook page. We will also make this information available on the Foodbank website and social media channels.

Find out more about our Advice Hub Partner Organisations:
(in alphabetical order)

EPOSS Cluster works with 21 schools and partners to provide targeted support for children and families across the local area: Wetherby, Boston Spa, and surrounding villages.

Foodbank (Wetherby and District) to provide short-term support to people struggling to afford the essentials.

HTF Legal – The Legal Hub Practical and effective legal advice when you need it. Every month we will be offering our time free of charge for up to 40 minute appointments for people in the local community. This is an ideal opportunity to bring your questions and seek expert advice on everyday issues.

IDAS offers a range of free and confidential services to help people cope with, and recover from, the traumatic effects of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Jordan’s Solicitors A full-service law firm providing expert legal advice to individuals, families and businesses across a broad range of specialisms.

Leeds City Council Our ward councillors are available to discuss issues relating to Wetherby and district on a weekly rota. It’s a face to face opportunity to raise issues affecting you, your family or your community.

Living Potential is based on a working farm, near Wetherby, Leeds, and a community interest company, set up to be a non-profit social enterprise. It is run by Tanya and a team of staff who have many years of experience, teaching and working in a variety of environments and who have seen first-hand the therapeutic effects of nature-based interventions.

Money Buddies are here to help you save money, increase your income and advise you at times of financial crisis. They can also help people maximise their income, write letters and advise on ways to save money on energy bills.

Smartworks help unemployed women to get the coaching and clothing confidence they need to secure employment and change the trajectory of their lives.

Thank you to all of these organisations for their regular support and commitment to the Community Cafe. Together we can do so much more for the people of Wetherby and surrounding area.

Our partnerships are growing in Wetherby and Tadcaster areas.
If you would like to expand the reach of your organisation and work with us on providing free, expert advice locally and in our wider community, please get in touch!

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