A COMMUNITY hub in Bournemouth has been given a boost with a freshen-up and a new look.

The Inspiring Change shop at Cunningham Crescent, West Howe, has had a facelift and reorganisation as it marks five years since opening.

As well as being somewhere that people can go to buy refurbished items, it is also a centre for arts and crafts and adult learning.

Outgoing Bournemouth mayor Cllr Rod Cooper went along to do the honours, along with councillors for the area, who celebrated with volunteers and members of the community.

Diane Humphries, shop manager, said: “We’ve had a new sign put up, just to make it look nicer and to contribute towards the regeneration of the area.

“We’ve had a bit of a shuffle around with the shop layout. It’s a celebration, it’s a part of our journey and we’re looking at how we can improve all of the time.

“The shop is the base of the project and it’s a resident-led project. We do volunteering, we do training here and the aim is to combat loneliness.

“People want to improve their life skills and other skills and get back into employment.

“We’re at an exciting phase at the moment; we started with a few people around a kitchen table with funding for three months and we’re still here five years on.

“We’re looking at how we can keep developing and contributing to the regeneration of West Howe in the future.”

The sign was financed by Bournemouth council’s Local Improvement Fund.

One of the area’s councillors, Beryl Baxter, said: “The shop provides a valuable service to the local community and the local residents are very thankful to the council for financing this much needed project.”