A VITAL community resource based in Bude is celebrating three decades of local support.

Bude Stratton Community Project (BSCP), the charity behind both Neetside Community Centre and Berries Community Café, is celebrating 30 years of providing vital community services this year.

BSCP was established in the mid-1990s when local organisations identified the need for a dedicated community space in Bude. Following a fundraising campaign of £250,000, Neetside Community Centre opened in 1996.

Originally home to a small number of services, the centre has expanded significantly over the past three decades in response to changing local needs, becoming a multi-use community hub.

Today, it provides flexible spaces and houses key organisations working across the NHS, health and social care, wellbeing, housing, employment support, advice services, and community groups from across North Cornwall.

In 2024, BSCP expanded with the launch of Berries Community Café. Over the last two years, it has been supported by more than 40 volunteers and has hosted over 35 groups, organisations, and independent practitioners, including Bude Stroke Support, Bude Community Larder, Bude Wellness Warriors, women’s health groups focused on menopause and endometriosis, St Petrocs drop-in services, Coodes legal drop-in clinics, the Bude Friends of the Earth gardening group, and, more recently, a new LGBTQ+ community group.

The café aims to provide a welcoming, volunteer-led space for people of all ages and backgrounds to meet. It plays a key role in supporting local volunteering opportunities, helping people build confidence, reduce isolation, learn new skills, and reconnect with their community.

Rachel Martin, a trustee, said: “BSCP’s 30th birthday is a celebration for local people and our brilliant partnerships. From Neetside Community Centre to Berries Community Café, the impact of this charity is something truly special. We see every day how many lives it touches, and we look forward to celebrating with the community on 6 June.”

“The centre remains a vital part of the town’s identity,” added BSCP chair of trustees, Mary Greener. “The work of Bude Stratton Community Project touches everyone in Bude, from babies to older residents. I first came across Neetside when I was working for Cornwall Council, it was always seen as the centre of the community.

“Bude is quite remote. Without these services, people relying on public transport could face journeys of up to three hours to access some essential services. Now, with its sister site at Berries Café, BSCP is helping even more people across the community. It’s exciting to think about what the next 30 years will hold.”

To mark the milestone, BSCP is hosting a “Big Birthday Bash” on June 6, a free community event open to all. The event will take place at Neetside Community Centre and the surrounding area, with a traditional village fete atmosphere from 10am to 3pm.

Live music will run throughout the day, with seating available in the community orchard for visitors to relax and enjoy the celebrations. Activities will include traditional fete-style games, a barbecue running from 12pm to 3pm, and a pop-up Berries Community Café serving cakes and drinks.