Rogiet Community Junction's purpose is to provide social opportunities for the village to come together, to prevent loneliness and promote good physical and mental health. We started our weekly breakfast and cake cafe in 2015 and now also run a six weekly kids kafe, and a monthly free cinema. We are now close to our ultimate mission, to open a permanent community shop and café located in the heart of the village. We want to continue the work we have done creating a community hub and make this permanent and accessible to all the village. The picture shows our plans as a 3D model.
Why the community needs us
We will be open 6 days a week and be able to offer more people in the community the opportunity to socialise in the café, to build socially inclusive and supportive networks and to benefit from a local shop. The café will have an emphasis on local and seasonal produce. The shop will have an ethos of buy as you need and promote and use local producers. The new shop/café will offer paid, voluntary and training opportunities to people of all ages. Requests have already been made for us to offer community jam and chutney making days and cookery classes for the community. Working with local suppliers and businesses we plan to offer pop up restaurants, tasting events, creative activities with an emphasis on wellbeing . When the café is closed the space can be used by community groups.
Our impact on the community
Since the cafe first opened we have been providing a space where everyone is welcome. We know that for some people the cafe has been their lifesaver. Pre pandemic we averaged around 100 customers per session. Through meeting in the café, many of our customers have formed new friendships and support groups which has helped us all to get through the pandemic. Having a permanent community shop and cafe means the extent to which the village can interact with each other in a mutually beneficial way is greatly extended.
All donations will help us realise our dream of opening The Rogiet Community Shop and Café and we thank you very much for your support.
