New community cafe offers a safe space for all

A new community facility is opening in the centre of Huddersfield with the aim of providing a safe and welcoming space for adults with learning disabilities, long term health issues and young people from the LGBTQ+ community.

The HIVE Community Cafe has been 11 months in the making and is situated opposite the railway station in what was previously a disused town centre shop unit. It will be open to the public from Monday 15th November 8am-3pm Monday to Saturday.

As well as a café, HIVE will support the local community by offering training in vital life skills and employability. The café will not only serve great coffee and delicious food but provide ASDAN training for adults with learning disabilities and those excluded from training and education due to long term mental health issues.

HIVE Youth will also provide much-needed wellbeing support and activities to young LGBTQ+ people, aged 13 and over, who need a safe space to share any issues or concerns, or simply want to make like-minded friends.

The first meeting of HIVE Youth will take place at HIVE on Thursday 18 November at 5.30pm.

The new initiative has been co-founded by Peggy McNulty and Gabby Hurt who are both passionate about supporting their community.

Peggy from Dalton, whose career spans 20 years in the health and social care sector, working with vulnerable people, added: “We just want to be welcoming, to provide people with a safe space and greet everyone with a smile.

Since the Covid pandemic a lot of people are really struggling and this facility is desperately needed.”

Gabby from Fenay Bridge, who has worked in the charitable sector for the past 15 years, including Kirkwood Hospice and Cafe100 in Holmfirth, said:
“Every time I walk in the door I get a sense of hope and pride. It’s hard to put into words but it means the world to us to get HIVE up and running and to try and ensure we are a safe space no matter your background, ability, sexuality or gender”.

Training provision will begin in the New Year and will focus on employability skills such as managing finances, interview skills and CV writing. HIVE also aims to set up social groups for adults with dementia, learning disabilities and developmental disorders such as Asperger’s syndrome and autism, in partnership with other local third sector organisations.

HIVE is currently looking for volunteers to help run its café, support the youth project and training provision, plus very much in need of donations of IT equipment and furniture.

The adult training provision is funded by The National Lottery.