A NEW community cafe helping people feeling isolated has opened at a Worcester community centre.

Lyppard Hub, the community centre in Ankerage Green, Warndon Villages, opened the new cafe this week.

The cafe aims to reach those socially isolated, providing a space for people to come and meet others from the local community to make new friends while enjoying refreshments together.

The new cafe seating area is designed as a social space both for the new Community Cafe and existing community groups run at the community centre.

The cafe will be open on a drop in basis on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, between 10am and noon.

Serving hot drinks and cakes, the cafe will run in the newly refurbished barn area of the Hub, and this dedicated space will be used at other times by community projects run by Lyppard Hub such as their dementia support group, new parent group and monthly bereavement cafe.

Lauren Cartwright, centre manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to launch this new venture, and excited to welcome new people into the centre.

"Our aim for the cafe is to provide a place for people to meet others from the local community, make new friends and enjoy a coffee and cake together. Our new cafe seating area is a fantastic social space both for the community cafe and existing community groups.”

The cafe was officially opened by mayor of Worcester, Councillor Stephen Hodgson, on Wednesday, January 12. He said: "This café has been set up to reduce social isolation, it provides space for people to meet new friends and for the community to come together.”

Lyppard Hub is home to a wide range of groups and activities throughout the week, and provides support and activities for all ages.

Among the activities are walking groups, a parent and toddler group, and a group for art and craft enthusiasts.

Anyone is welcome to drop into the new cafe, which runs during termtime.

For more details visit lyppardhub.co.uk or call the staff at the hub on 01905 616841.