A building on Bell Street in Wigston, which was originally leased by LLR PCL to host a Covid-19 vaccination hub is now being used as a Crisis Café for the community of Oadby and Wigston.
The site is conveniently located right in the heart of Wigston and is easily accessible by the entire community. LLR PCL sought a solution that could use this valuable location to best serve local residents. Working closely with the organisation Turning Point, it was identified that opening a Crisis Café would greatly help to support the more vulnerable members of the local community.
Turning Point is a health and social care organisation that works across mental ?health, learning disability, substance misuse, primary care, the criminal justice system and employment.
The café will offer a safe and welcoming space for those who are struggling with their mental health. A number of services will be available to visitors including 1:1 sessions to assist with practical coping strategies, recovery workers who can advise and empower those on a recovery journey and general advice to support mental strength, resilience and well-being.
Manned by many who can claim a lived experience, the café will be a place of acceptance and understanding. The aim is to create a sense of community and ensure people know what choices are available to them locally and who to contact when they need help. No referral is needed, residents can simply come along and visit. The café is open on Saturdays from 10.30 – 17.30.
Active discussions are now underway to further develop the Bell Street site into a full community hub offering a wide range of services to support local residents. It is hoped that these might become available in the early part of 2023.
Making use of such a central location and re-purposing the site to best serve the community is an example of LLR PCL thinking creatively around an opportunity whilst also upholding the company values.