A community initiative helping to combat loneliness has been described as a “dream come true” as it celebrates its first anniversary.
Trent & Dove Housing Association helped host a special party to mark one year of the popular Branston Places of Welcome coffee morning. The weekly event offers free refreshments and a friendly space for local residents to meet and socialise.
The celebration featured homemade cakes, party hats, and even a game of pass the parcel. Attendees spoke of how the gatherings have helped rekindle old friendships, create new ones, and spread happiness across the community.
The project is the result of a partnership between Trent & Dove, Branston Town Council, Branston Scout HQ, Strengthening Communities, and the Diocese of Lichfield. Together, the organisations have created a safe and welcoming environment that continues to reduce loneliness and empower volunteers to make a difference.
Our partnerships and volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and the Branston Places of Welcome coffee morning is a shining example of that. Seeing how this project has flourished, bringing people together, tackling loneliness, and creating strong friendships, is inspiring. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our amazing volunteers and the support of our partners.
Trent & Dove’s Customer Experience Officer Alan Ball added:
If anybody wanted an example of what community is, this is it. And it is all credit to the people who come here. There is no agenda to this coffee morning, it has just taken off.
Branston Town Council described the project as a “dream come true”. For some residents, it provides their only activity outside the home each week, offering a vital social lifeline.
Getting people together is a gift, but to get so many enthusiastic people who love every minute of it fills your cup up. I put a lot into this, but I also get so much back.
For others, the experience has been transformative. Volunteer Tanya joined after losing her mother and said:
Volunteering here has helped my anxiety and done me a power of good. I haven’t looked back.
The Branston Places of Welcome coffee morning runs every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm at Branston Scout HQ, Main Street, Branston, DE14 3EY.
