Now we’re well and truly into winter, East Devon’s warm spaces are fundamental for anyone in need of warmth as well as some company.

When Sidmouth Voluntary Services (SVS) approached us for a Small Community Grant to support their weekly café sessions, it reminded us of just how important funding is for our local community, especially for our older residents.

Every Friday morning at Twyford House, SVS host a café to encourage social interaction, reduce isolation and improve physical and mental wellbeing of their elderly clients. To support this service, they successfully received a grant of £300 from us to purchase arts and crafts activities, games and puzzles.

Selection of games and puzzles.

We have recently contacted SVS to ask how their café is going and we’re pleased to report that the numbers of clients attending the Friday morning sessions are growing steadily, from six last March to around ten now.

As well as providing a warm, welcoming place, the café brings elderly people together where most live alone. It offers a space for them to get out, have a coffee and chat with familiar faces.

Clients playing games.

SVS’s café truly encapsulates what our Small Community Grant is for. We look forward to continuing to work with and support other crucial services in East Devon.