Hexham Community Centre has bagged a sizeable grant to extend its Warm Welcome project.

The initiative aims to ensure that a warm welcome, a warm place, or a warm meal is available to everyone during the winter.

The Government's Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund. And thanks to this funding, along with additional backing from Hexham Town Council and Karbon Homes, the centre's usual activity can now be extended.

It will allow the centre to include activities for families and activities for all on weekends, when those who live in isolation often struggle most.

Centre Manager Jill Goodfellow said: "This funding comes at the perfect time, the cost-of-living crisis is impacting more and more people in Hexham.

"This funding will not only enable the Centre to broaden its activity to reach more people, but also to hire a dedicated person to explore the changing needs of the community and how the Community Centre can meet these needs."

The Warm Welcome programme has already begun, with activities spread across the week, from an after school stay and play each day, to Carpet Bowls on a Friday, to the brand-new Sunday Social, providing a place to come together and enjoy a light roast dinner. 

The full timetable of activities can be found on Hexham Community Centre's website at: www.hexhamcommunitycentre.org/whats-on/events/warm-welcome

If you would like to become a volunteer at the centre, you can contact them on on info@hexhamcommunitycentre.org or call in.