Bude and Stratton’s Open House spaces, supported by Neetside Community Centre and Bude-Stratton Town Council, are back up and running after the festive break – with the welcome addition of ‘Hot Soup Fridays’.

Since opening in November last year, a staggering 400 volunteer hours have supported the Open House /Warm Spaces project, which runs out of three separate locations – the Neetside Community Centre and Parkhouse Community Centre in Bude, and also at The Tree Inn in Stratton.

Open House spaces are free, warm, friendly spaces to get together with others this winter. Volunteers and visitors can grab a cup of tea, get stuck into a book, try out a craft activity, learn about services in the area or simply have a chat. And starting this week, the programme will offer free hot soup and rolls on a Friday at the Parkhouse Centre in Bude and The Tree Inn in Stratton.

Miranda Clarke, manager, Neetside Community Centre explained: “Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen the impact Covid has had, isolating people and changing the support offered in the community by charities, public sectors and voluntary groups.

“It’s been really rewarding to host an Open House/Warm Room space at Neetside Community Centre, also offering drop in Art and Craft workshops for adults and children – all of which is supported by volunteers drawn from the local community.

“We are incredibly grateful to Bude-Stratton Town Council for recognising the importance of offering a space in our towns and for their funding support to help us deliver this project.”

Open House Sessions

l Parkhouse Centre – Monday & Friday (10am – 4pm), now including ‘Hot Soup Fridays’ between 12.30pm – 2.30pm

l Neetside Community Centre – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (10am – 3pm), including Toy Library sessions on Tuesday morning and Craft sessions on Tuesday afternoons

l The Tree Inn, Stratton – Thursday & Friday (10am – 4pm), now including ‘Hot Soup Fridays’ between 12.30pm – 2.30pm, and Saturday morning activity sessions (10am – 1pm)

l Additionally, the Bude-Stratton Branch of the Royal British Legion also opens its doors on Wednesdays (10am – 4pm) at 5, Burn View in Bude.

For further information about the Open House / Warm Space programme, please call Neetside Community Centre on 01288 353403.