Christmas Day welcome in store from Sheila’s Community Café in Dingwall as trailblazing pay-it-forward venture launches
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A WARM welcoming space in the heart of Ross-shire's county town is to become a safe haven for anyone feeling lonely, isolated or struggling because of the cost of living crisis.
Christmas came early for activists behind Sheila’s Community Café after the group Community Support and Information Ross-shire (CSIR) secured a National Lottery award of £73,354 in the latest round of funding.
Located at Temperance House on Tulloch Street, it will open on Christmas Day to welcome those who may be spending the day alone and will operate on a pay what you can afford basis.
A pay it forward scheme has already seen collection tins filled by well-wishers to be used to buy someone a hot drink, bowl of soup or a plate of stovies.
On Friday evenings the café will open up to young people as a digital café meaning that young people from outlying areas can join in and meet up with their friends.
Shona Street, chief officer of CSIR said: “It’s wonderful that we can make our dream a reality and one which will help address the issues of poverty and isolation in a practical and fundamental way. Our community has been behind us all the way and have bought into the pay it forward ethos with full collection tins ready to be used. This project has been fuelled by the enthusiasm and time of many local people and shows just what can be achieved when all sectors of a community come together.”
Mary Foley (50) from Dingwall has been heavily involved in creating the space and donating items such as kitchen equipment, plates and cups. She said: “A lot of hard work has been done to make the building a warm and clean space after it being uninhabited for a number of years.This will help the community in so many ways such as helping to combat social isolation and helping people and families struggling to make ends meet by providing a warm and welcoming space and organising events for all ages. I can’t wait to use the café when it’s finally open.”
Kate Still of The National Lottery Community Fund said: "The connections we have to our family, friends and the wider community makes us feel we are not so alone and that we are part of something bigger. The strength and comfort that we draw from this will be important for us all as we face some challenging times ahead.”
The cafe will be open on Christmas Day from 11am to 3pm and on New Year's Day between the same hours. The intention then is to open in Jaunary for set periods of time Monday to Friday with details still be firmed up.
