The funding received from Selwood Housing has enabled Westwood Social Club to purchase brand new kitchen cabinets to refurbish the original kitchen which was broken, unusable, unhygienic, in a bad state of repair and not fit for purpose. The new units were fitted by our volunteers who have done a sterling job. This refurbishment has had a major impact on the future of the club and is noted by both members and visitors alike.
The new kitchen has already shown a huge benefit to the local community, including many Selwood Housing customers, as the club is located in the centre of the Westwood estate. The club users include Purple Noise, a youth music charity, the Wavely pop-up café run by adults with learning disabilities, and K0SS SEN children’s events.
The club encourages community opportunities and events, including car boots sales, support for the school scarecrows trail, regular bingo and bridge, and youth workshops by Purple Noise and Mighty Girls. The club is now able to provide support to other groups who require the use of a kitchen, which is now modern, clean, hygienic and purpose-built.
Julie Adcock, Westwood Social Club Chair said:
“We thank Selwood Housing immensely as the grant has made an enormous difference. The original kitchen was in a very poor condition and not fit for purpose. The new kitchen has had a major impact on the life and future of the club, and we were very proud for the Wavely Café enabling to hire the hall as their café was recognised in the Wiltshire Council CQC report.
Staff told us how one service had supported people to take part in money management, food hygiene and customer services courses, helping them gain the skills and confidence they could use when volunteering in the local authority’s Wavely Cafe. The volunteering opportunities in the café also helped people connect with their community and improve their confident skills and abilities.”
We have received many complimentary remarks from members and users on how advantageous our new kitchen is. Enabling the refurbishment has opened up benefits to all the user groups.
A Medley Opportunity Centre colleague: “The Wavely Café has been a positive outcome for many of our customers. It has helped many of them to gain new skills and gain more confidence and opportunities in the community”.
Medley customers said:
“I like the Wavely Café; it has allowed me to form friendships outside the service.”
“I have been able to gain skills in the kitchen with minimal support.”
“Wavely Café makes me feel happy and excited and I like serving the customers.”
