Minstead Trust is taking on a much-loved local café site in Boscombe after being chosen in the tender process run by BCP Council.
From January, we will run the community café in Churchill Gardens, Boscombe.
We will bring our experience of running an existing network of community cafés. Just like the café in Churchill Gardens, these are inclusive places that welcome and support people of all backgrounds. The cafés work with vulnerable people, including those with neurodisabilities, to offer training, support and community connection.
The move is part of our growing regional hub in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, which includes support for family carers, employment training and supported living.
Minstead Trust also runs a public garden in the New Forest and aims to bring its gardening experience to the Grow Zone in Churchill Gardens. Throughout next year customers will be able to be part of improvements to the planting areas, as well as new events and initiatives within the café.
Jay Powell, Director of Social Enterprise and Property at Minstead Trust, said: ‘Joy Café in Churchill Gardens clearly means a great deal to local people, and we want to reassure them that we will take the responsibility of running our community café on this site very seriously.
‘We know this isn’t just a place where people enjoy good food or a coffee, it is also a place to have a chat, feel welcome and be part of something with others.
‘We fully intend to continue the community-led approach of the current café on this site, while also increasing the opportunities for neuro disabled people to learn within their community.
‘For Minstead Trust, this is an important step in becoming an increasing part of the local communities of Bournemouth and Poole. It adds to our existing work supporting people in the area through family carers advocacy, offering inclusive employment training, and supported living.
‘Our focus now is to listen to customers and staff, build relationships and shape the café with the people who know it best. We want this to feel like a next step that builds on the amazing work that has happened over the last few years in Churchill Gardens.’