Mayor opens new community hub for charity to help it operate better

A Trowbridge charity is now able to operate at greater capacity after opening a new and larger community hub in The Shires Shopping Centre.

The Mayor of Trowbridge, Cllr Stephen Cooper, officially opened the new hub for Trowbridge Future, which was formed in 1995 to offer support and advice.

Cllr Cooper chose Trowbridge Future as one of his charities for his year as the town’s mayor and said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been in some small way associated with their contribution to our town’s wellbeing and yes, our town’s future.

“The opening of this new, larger and better-equipped hub here in The Shires will mean that the constructive and forward-looking services Trowbridge Future offers to residents will now be more accessible and open to more people.”

READ MORE: Stolen bikes worth thousands found in van in Trowbridge

Trowbridge Mayor Cllr Stephen Cooper studies the work that is undertaken at Trowbridge Community Hub. Image: Trevor Porter 77019-5 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Zoe Meaden, community manager, said: “The opening of this larger unit has given us a new lease of life and a greater capacity to support more people.”

The community hub offers a calm haven where users can sit and have a cup of tea and seek one-to-one advice and support.

They can get assistance to make phone calls, write letters or access online resources, with help from the volunteers who help to run it.

Typical users include vulnerable and elderly people, people with disabilities, armed forces veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and rough sleepers.

The hub also helps people suffering from mental health problems, strokes and those experiencing social isolation.

Open for business: Meg Aubrey, CEO of Trowbridge Future, celebrates the opening of its new Community Hub. Image: Trevor Porter 77019-6 (Image: Trevor Porter)

In January, Trowbridge Future celebrated being awarded more than £430,000 of National Lottery funding. It will use the money to help it support people through the cost-of-living crisis.

Meg Aubrey, its chief executive, said the cash also means they can push on with developing services for children and young people.

SEE ALSO: Plans for Chippenham bar get green light from council

In early April, it created a new youth centre in Mill Street to cater for the needs of young people in the town.

The new centre will provide a safe space for young people to attend professionally-led youth sessions where they can enjoy a range of activities, spend time with friends and benefit from youth worker support.

Trowbridge Future has run evening youth sessions from Studley Green and Seymour in recent years, but limited space has restricted activities and the number of children who can join.

The charity also runs community fridges from its hubs at Melton Road in Seymour, The Cabin in Studley Green, and at Longfield Community Centre.