A NEW community building which will host a wellbeing project and a café in Churchill Gardens, Boscombe, is set to open next month.

The building will be the new home of community Joy Café, which will serve fresh coffees and food six days a week from July 2, 2022.

The site will also form a key part of BCP Council’s ASPIRE programme, which aims to help people boost their self-esteem and focus on their wellbeing by supporting them towards employability and healthier, more active lifestyles.

READ MORE: Boscombe's new Aspire building and Gardens Café set to open soon

Those taking part in the programme which has a ‘grow your own, eat your own and sell your own’ ethos at its core, will be offered help to become more active, work towards achieving their goals and incorporate healthy food into their diet.

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Funded as part of the Interreg VA Channel programme, BCP Council is working with other partners, including C3 Collaborating for Health, to deliver the programme.

Zoe Keeping, community engagement officer for C3 Collaborating For Health said: “This is a really exciting project happening in the heart of Boscombe and I’ve loved being a part of it, working with local residents, activity providers and BCP Council to support its delivery and ensure that the programme aligns the needs and wants of our community.

“It’s been great to see so many local people join in and benefit from the various activities funded by BCP Council as part of the programme so far.

“We’re all looking forward to Joy Café moving in and the new community space opening up so we have a base to work from to make the ‘grow your own, eat your own, sell your own’ dream a reality with the launch of a cooking club and plans for a micro farmers market supplying the local community with fresh produce and healthy, homemade makes, bakes and more.”

Over 100 participants have engaged in the ASPIRE project taster sessions last year and in the first half of 2022.

The programme is being delivered by local activity providers including Vita Nova, Bournemouth Wellbeing Experience, Grounded Community and community choir and Boscombe Sing.

Together they will provide a range of activities: performing arts, gardening, dance, yoga, meditation, Pilates and other small group sessions.

The next phase of the programme will focus on scaling up the activities through the summer and supporting participants to progress.

Councillor Jane Kelly, lead member for communities said: “I am so pleased to see BCP’s ASPIRE programme already helping so many local residents.

"Eating healthily can seem unachievable on a budget and knowing how to grow and prepare fresh food can make all the difference.

“This project will be invaluable to so many and the hub itself will be a valuable asset to the residents and the local community who use Churchill Gardens.”

People living nearby will be able to vote on the name of the new building through a community poll, with the final decision to be announced during the Queens’ Platinum Jubilee Garden Party event in Churchill Gardens on June 18, 2022.