Harrogate Neighbours' Community Hub is celebrating its first birthday.
The volunteer-led hub located on High Street in Starbeck has been a community anchor and a lifeline for many, opening its doors to an average of 70 people a week.
Thanks to generous donations and support, the hub has provided 802 hours of volunteer help, 320 hot meals and 70 hours of training and support to aid digital inclusivity.
Part of non-for-profit care provider, Harrogate Neighbours, the hub was officially opened in June 2024 as a safe space for people of all ages and abilities to socialise and seek support.
One celebration the hub hosted was a birthday party for Shirley, who at the age of 77 had never had a birthday party.
Harrogate resident, 78-year-old, Shirley Burniston said:
“The hub is a lifeline, it has brought me out of a shell that I have been in for a lot of years, learning how to mix with people has been fantastic.
“For my birthday this year, they threw me a surprise party – it was my 78th birthday and it was the first time I have ever had a party to celebrate.”
The hub also arranged a life celebration with a day’s notice for a local lady after she lost her husband.
77-year-old hub visitor Fred (Adrienne Gibson) said:
“My late husband, Jack and I agreed that he wouldn’t have a funeral, but people kept asking so I spoke to the team at the hub and they helped me put together a life celebration.
“I was relieved I had found a place which had no religious connection. – we had such a lovely afternoon – in fact, Jack would have loved it.”
The hub celebrated its first birthday as a reminder to everyone that all are welcome to socialise, work on their mental and physical wellbeing and feel part of a community.
The hub opened as a place where people could seek support with life challenges, whether that is help paying a bill, finding a job or feeling a sense of belonging.
Talking from the hub’s first birthday, visitor 73-year-old Val Faber said:
“I’ve met and made new friends and now say hello to people in the street when I am out and about.
“It’s so good for help with WIFI and to do stuff online – it’s been lovely to spend time with people like me – I even have a text buddy now!”
58-year-old Brenda Haw added:
“The hub has opened so many doors for people within the Starbeck and Harrogate community. It’s a warm and welcoming place – the atmosphere is electric.
“Everyone is welcome as soon as you come through the door, you’re immediately given a coffee and you don’t always have to have money – you’re always welcome.
“The best thing that happened to Harrogate was having the hub open.”
Harrogate Neighbours Community Hub manager, Vic-Smith-Dunn said:
“It’s a real joy to be open our doors and celebrate the first year of the Community Hub.
“In just 12 months, we’ve built friendships, different support, and created a space that feels like family to many of the people that walk through our door.
“The growth we have seen in such a short time is incredible – and it highlights just how much our community needs places like this, where people can connect and feel they can belong.”