If you are struggling this winter, we have some useful information about community hubs and organisations that are offering support in the local area, whether you need to stay warm, seek advice or simply see a friendly face.
Warm Spaces
Gateway Centre - Café Avodah will be open between 10am-2.30pm Tuesday to Friday, and will provide warm meals through their ‘Feed a Friend’ scheme to those in the community who are unable to purchase. Here, there is also a community washing machine and tumble dryer for those who cannot afford to do their washing. It is available free of charge to families, individuals and the homeless community within Launceston who need support.
Launceston Library - Providing a warm space, hot food and drinks, meal shelf and activities. Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9.30am-5pm, and Saturdays 10am-1pm.
The Orchard Centre - Free soup and hot drinks. 11.30am-3pm on various dates until the end of March. See our article on page 81 for more information.
Community Open Space - Every Thursday at Newport, 1.30pm-4pm, run by Launceston Foodbank and Launceston Community Church. Free drinks and light refreshments, a warm place for all.
Launceston Central Methodist Church - Offering a warm space every Tuesday with hot food/soup from 12pm, plus activities, puzzles, games, adult colouring, music and sometimes a film.
Drop-ins, advice and activities
Launceston Foodbank - Visit https://launceston.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/ for more information.
Gateway Centre - There are various groups, free to attend, including Knit & Natter, Art group, Men’s conversation group, Pool Table group, Gardening Club and a Christian discussion group. There are also activities that take place which are run by third party groups such as Table Tennis, a Gym, Army Cadets, Home Ed Choir group, the Bel Canto Choir Group and various training schemes. Check the Gateway Centre’s Facebook page to keep up-to-date with groups and timings. The Gateway Centre can also issue Foodbank vouchers.
Little Red Bus - Based in the Gateway Centre, the Little Red Bus provides entertaining day trips out attractions in Cornwall and Devon.
Cornwall Energy Plus - Support and information at Launceston Medical Centre and the Library -
Community Gateway - A single point of access to a wide range of voluntary sector support. Open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. In addition, staff members in the community will be available to offer one to one and group support. Call 01872 266383 or email gateway@ageukcornwall.org.uk
Launceston Community Connections Mini-Fest - A free event connecting services and activities to the community. Starting Saturday, 4th February, 10am-4pm at Launceston Town Hall.
Holsworthy pet food bank – 01409 259093
Mental health support
Pentreath - Call 01726 862727 or visit www.pentreath.co.uk
Man Down - Fortnightly on Wednesdays, 7pm-9pm, The Orchard Centre. https://www.mandown-cornwall.co.uk/
Grab a bowl of soup and keep warm...
Community spirit is always the thing that keeps our heads afloat in times of need, and as the cold sets in, many people will be reassured to know they can grab a free soup and hot drink at the Orchard Centre this winter.
Beginning in November, Launceston Library has received funding from Volunteer Cornwall to run ‘Warm Banks’ in the town, with the Orchard Centre teaming up with the library to make this a reality, supported by Primary Care Network, Volunteer Cornwall, Age UK and Launceston Town Council.
Launceston Life popped along to the second session, where two flavours of soup were being served up - tomato and lentil, and leek and potato - along with a fresh bread roll, hot drinks and cake. This is all free to anybody who simply fancies a hot meal and wants to keep warm. There is also the chance to charge your devices and use the WiFi, catch up with friends or make new ones - something that is an important part of the scheme, preventing loneliness and encouraging new connections.
Upcoming dates for the Warm Bank are 12th and 18th December, and 9th, 16th and 23rd January at the Orchard Centre, 11.30am-3pm.