Community cafe in Forde Park is looking for more volunteers

Volunteers are needed for a popular Newton Abbot community cafe that was once featured on the BBC’s The One Show.

‘Our Pavilion’ community cafe in Forde Park is run by and for adults with learning difficulties and additional needs.

The café was created at the park’s disused cricket pavilion during the coronavirus pandemic era, and was worked on by builders who were furloughed from their day-jobs. The work was funded by local donations, together with grants from the National Lottery, the Postcode Lottery, and Devon County Council.

It opened in 2021.

Treasurer and trustee Julie Bladon said: “Working at the café is fun and rewarding. People love it here, and we have lovely customers as well!”

The café opens every day in summer, and six days per week in winter, and gives work to 25 adults with additional needs, together with a roster of other helpers who give a minimum of four hours per week.

“We need at least another ten people on our books to help manage the work,” Julie said. “We help people who have been ignored by society. They feel safe here – they even come here on their days off,” she said.

This Sunday (July 19) the café is presenting an open-air music and entertainment afternoon to raise much-needed funds for the Forde Park community project.

The local Choir 86 will be performing and celebrating its 40th anniversary.

“People can bring a deckchair or a garden rug, buy a drink and something to eat at the café and just sit and enjoy what is going to be a wonderful afternoon,” said Julie.

The event starts at 2.30pm.

Anyone who would like to offer their time as a café volunteer, or who would like more information, should email [email protected]