Our Charity: Alvechurch Communities Together:

Charity Number: 1154840

With Parish Council and Police support the charity ACT was formed, and a shop unit within the heart of the village, (The Lounge) was leased and used as a community cafe by day and turned into a youth venue on an evening, supporting youth from 9 years upwards. This has been a hugely successful project and our youth offer is still going strong. The reduction in anti social behaviour was almost immediate and The Lounge cafe has become a focal point for many in the community as it is accessible, family and dog friendly, affordable and locally run. The Lounge community café is non-profit and puts all proceeds back into the community.

As time went on the ACT Committee noticed an increasing number of senior members of the community accessing the Lounge Cafe during the daytime, who were openly talking about issues they were facing. One of the most common overriding issues identified was the increasing level of loneliness and socially isolation they felt. We know (and there is considerable evidence) that this impacts on the general health of the older people. Our local GP surgery (Alvechurch Medical Centre) had told us loneliness and social isolation in Alvechurch is one of the biggest challenges they face. Health issues arising from loneliness and isolation add pressure on the clinic and local social care services.  Many of our vulnerable older customers were coming into the café seeking companionship, they continue to live in their own accommodation; and frequent the Lounge café on a regular basis and told us that it was the only regular human contact that they have.  

In response to this our Friendship Matters Senior Support group was set up in April 2019 which runs on a Monday morning in the café space and offers a range of bespoke activities for the older generation, with subsidised hot food and drinks and social interactions with others. A vital community group that improves outcomes for older people within our community, especially those who are, or are at risk of becoming, isolated and/or lonely. 

The Charity Alvechurch Communities Together is run by a group of local volunteer Trustees, who support the management/staff behind the scenes, with the planning and delivery of The Community Café and our Community Groups.