Love in action -

Lives transformed!

Ashington has a desperate need for a facility like the Ashington Life Centre....

According to recent statistics Wansbeck is the 46th most deprived local authority of the 354 in England. New figures show that one in five children under the age of four in the county are living in poverty – and it is almost one in three in the worst-affected area, Wansbeck.

Northumberland is now the second-worst bankruptcy black spot in England, and 13% of its working-age population are receiving unemployment benefit.

Increasing numbers of people are living in financial and/or fuel poverty, having to choose whether to eat or keep warm. Many of these are elderly, single, bereaved or struggling after a relationship breakdown - often suffering from loneliness.

What we provide

Our Cafe provides a warm environment where people are able to come and have a hot drink, something to eat and some friendly company. Our nutritious meals and specials provide a very low cost (£3.00) healthy meal for those on a tight budget.

Our Community Café is open to the general public between 10.30am & 2.30pm Mon-Fri. As a registered ‘Warm Space’ we provide hot drinks and a warm safe space to spend a couple of hours.Help, advice & signposting is also available to both clients and members of the general public.

We are extremely grateful to local food stores including Greggs, Glentons, Asda, Marks & Spencer and the Co-op for donating end of day foods which would otherwise have gone to landfill.

Low Cost Furniture Scheme

The furniture project enables us to provide furniture and other items for those desperately in need by re-using good quality unwanted items of household furniture.

Teen Bar

Our Teen Bar provides a safe place for young people to come - an alternative to hanging around on the streets. Snacks and hot drinks are available as well as a selection of activities, games, DVDs and music. Help and advice are always on hand we plan to invite guest speakers to talk about subject relevant to today’s young people. Recent funding has enabled us to continue to employ dedicated youth workers to develop the programme. The Teen Bar is open in the evenings during term time and daily during school holidays with a wide variety of activities and trips on offer.

Events

We schedule regular events throughout the year including Fayres, Quiz nights, themed Barbeques and other social activities. Events are advertised on Social media well in advance and all are welcome. Entry is usually by booking or ticket available from the Centre

Emergency Food and Clothing Bank

The Food Bank bridges the gap when local Food Banks are closed or clients need further support and supplies food parcels on both a ‘walk in’ and referral basis. Referrals are accepted from Social Services, Job Centre, Citizen’s Advice and local Doctor’s surgeries. Our Community Shop also doubles as a Clothing Bank to supply clothing for those living on the streets.

Community Shop

Our Community Shop sells very low cost, nearly new clothing, toys and household items at a fraction of the High Street Charity Shop Prices. For many people living on benefits, even the Charity Shop prices are beyond their reach and our Community Shop helps to provide much needed clothing and other items to families struggling in today’s current financial climate.

Please consider whether you are able to support us either financially or by donating goods or your time. To donate Click Here