Miners Lamp Community Cafe & Hub manager Person of the Week

Russ Greig, from Prudhoe, was nominated for the title by the town's mayor Angie Scott, who said he 'always goes above and beyond for the Prudhoe community'. 

He manages and runs the Miners Lamp Community Cafe & Hub in Eastwoods Park.

"Our charity, the Friends of Eastwoods Park, first started as a small community group tidying up Eastwoods Park," he said.

READ MORE: Friends of Eastwoods Park hailed for 'immeasurable' positive impact

"In 2018 we became a charity and then we opened the Miners Lamp Community Cafe & Hub in 2019, taking over a semi-derelict building which had become a bit of an eyesore

Russ Greig at the Miners Lamp Cafe (Image: Supplied) "I think it’s important as a community building as well as being in the park to provide somewhere warm and safe for children, but also somewhere for all ages to come and relax when visiting the park.

"It’s also a great way to engage with people and talk about any other support that people might need such as from our food bank. We pride ourselves on being ‘informal’ as many people are reluctant to seek support from organisations or offices they see as being ‘council’ offices.

"I enjoy helping people, my background is in trade unions and have always helped people. This is just a different kind of help. I think it’s really important to continue, we still have a lot of people who need support and we know there are a lot of people who are reluctant to ask for support.

"I also feel that we’ve made our town a nicer place for people to live with a wonderful park and open space to enjoy. We’ve made great improvements in biodiversity in the park and I believe when you love where you live it improves your mental health and wellbeing. I’m very surprised to be the Person of the Week, but also honoured that the work I’ve done has been noticed and appreciated."

He added people can donate food or money and the charity is always looking for volunteers to help in Eastwoods Park.

"Our food bank has seen a 47 per cent increase so far this year in the same period last year. We also expect to see greater need this winter with the removal of winter fuel allowance. So we would encourage anyone to either get in touch or contact Citizens Advice to check their entitlement."