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Community Cafe Founder Steps Down After 4 Years
17 Apr
Summary
- A weekly pop-up cafe closed after four years of operation.
- It provided a safe space for community connection and friendship.
- The cafe won a local award in 2024 for its impact.
A cherished weekly pop-up community cafe in Newbury, Berkshire, is set to transition to monthly operations as its founder, Kerry Bird, steps down after four years. Bird established the Speen Community Cafe to address the sense of community fragmentation following the Covid pandemic, offering a welcoming environment for friendship and activities.
The cafe, hosted within The Starting Gate pub, became a vital social hub. Attendees described it as a safe space, offering a much-needed reason to connect with others and combat isolation. What began with around 20 visitors weekly soon grew to serve up to 100 people seeking company and friendship.
Recognized for its positive impact, the Speen Community Cafe was honored at the 2024 Greenham Trust Awards, winning the small charity of the year category. Bird expressed a mix of emotions, including sadness at stepping away but fulfillment in having served her community.
