Delight as Queens Park Community Hub Café reopens

Residents, Partners, Councillors and bpha staff enjoyed an afternoon of networking at the reopening of popular Queens Park Café Hub in Queens Park, Bedford.  

Open fortnightly during term time, the hub, jointly run and funded by the BPHA, Bedford Borough Family Hubs and Faith in Queens Park, will offer warm meals and refreshments at affordable prices. Local services will be on hand to give free advice such as Impakt, Citizens Advice Bureau and the NHS will be offering free support, advice, and opportunities to meet local services. More information on the opening dates and times can be found here on Bedford Council website.  

Bedford Borough Council’s ambition is to create Family Hubs in Bedford Borough where parents, carers and families can access information and support throughout their parenting journey. By supporting hubs such as Queens Park’s community café, Family Hubs hope to offer a place in the community where local people can come together to form friendships and build relationships with key services. 

Local resident and volunteer, Safina said:  

‘I volunteer at the hub and approach it with passion and 100% commitment. It benefits us (the volunteers) in a number of ways, whether mentally, emotionally or socially and it really boosts our confidence and self-esteem.”  

bpha’s Chief Executive, Richard Hill said: “A huge thank you to the volunteers, bpha colleagues and partners who have made this possible. It is wonderful to see and feel the community spirit as you walk into the hub. People in and around Queens Park will now have access to important local services in the heart of their community.”  

Bedford Borough Council, Family Hubs Co-ordinator, Ruth Preece said: “It was lovely to see and meet so many local people coming together at Queens Park Café Connect to share food, meet friends and access local services. I really hope that in the weeks and months to come it will continue to foster a sense of community and strength local ties.”  

bpha’s community hubs are a great way to build value partnerships that support communities to come together. 

If you are an organisation who would like to share local community information via our community hubs, or would like more information on how you can work with us, please email us at [email protected].