Group tackling isolation is back thanks to grants

Café Culture, which helps tackle isolation, was under threat of closure. But thanks to grants from Thomson Reuters and the Community Foundation for Calderdale, it is back.
Thomson Reuters and the Community Foundation gave grantsThomson Reuters and the Community Foundation gave grants
Thomson Reuters and the Community Foundation gave grants

Café Culture is an informal, monthly, social gathering offering an afternoon of quality entertainment aimed at Calderdale’s over-60s residents and carers and celebrates ageing, diversity, independence and boosts social inclusion.

The varied programme of monthly interactive talks in Hebden Bridge, served up with tea, coffee and home-made cakes, was under threat due to a serious funding shortfall.

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Thomson Reuters’ grant was made as part of its long term commitment to boost local community projects that bring people together. It was joined by the Community Foundation for Calderdale, a strategic grant making community leader, and this year its celebrates 26 years of grant making in Calderdale

Assistant director of the Community Foundation, Emma Woods-Bolger, said: “We identified isolation and loneliness as a major issue for people across Calderdale and have been investing significantly in local solutions. This project is one of many local projects we are backing.

“What has become apparent is a need for social events, a reason to encourage individuals, their partners and carers to come out and listen to and share stories - Café Culture does just that.”

Hebden Bridge Arts Festival works with event coordinator Lisa Graham to offer a quality roster of entertaining informative speakers as part of its year round arts provision in the town.

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Arts Festival director, Helen Meller, said: “It is brilliant to sit in a room full of older local folk who have such fascinating stories to tell about their rich lives, and see them rekindle old friendships, as well as making new friends which help everyone who comes along feel less isolated.”