BRIGG ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

FROM KIRSTY WESTFIELD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

A community group set up Brigg Community Café at Brigg Children’s Centre last year and to celebrate its first anniversary the group is holding a coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer Support on Tuesday 29 September.
This is part of Macmillan’s nationwide World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.
The group meet every Tuesday between 10am and 12pm at the Children's/Youth Centre to bring the local community together. It has helped build up support networks, reduce social isolation and develop skills and confidence. 
Brigg Community Café was initially set up and aimed at people aged over 45 to encourage them to get involved in the community. It has now been opened up for people of all ages to get involved. 
It isn’t just any ordinary café, the group do a range of different things each week such as improve computer skills.
Other activities include quizzes, bingo, curling, indoor bowls, pool and table tennis. Health trainers visit to demonstrate healthy cooking skills, free NHS health checks are provided, recipes are shared and tasted, and they celebrate a range of special events.
Last year the group raised nearly £600 for Macmillan. 
There has been some really positive feedback from people who attend the Café.
They’ve said:

• “I look forward to my Tuesday now. It has been a lifesaver for me.” 
• I am really enjoying the IT training. I feel so much more comfortable using a computer.” 
• “It has really raised my confidence. I feel a need to get up in a morning as I really enjoy talking to other members.” 

Coun David Rose, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Well done to all the volunteers who have set this café up and made it the success it is. Your dedication should be recognised. It is clear that it has made a huge difference for many people’s lives. This group gives people the chance to socialise with others in their community and get involved in a range of activities. 
“Holding a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Trust is a wonderful way of celebrating their one year anniversary. They have already done so much in the past year and I’m sure it will carry on going from strength to strength.”
What is the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning?
It is Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event for people facing cancer. They ask people all over the UK to host their own Coffee Mornings and donations on the day are made to Macmillan. Last year alone they raised £25m.