Community breakfast club transforms lives with support from believe housing

Improving lives: The Laughy Café breakfast club, supported by a £10,000 community grant from housing association believe housing, brings older residents together for food, friendship and support.

A community centre in Durham is improving lives by bringing people together for breakfast, addressing poverty and loneliness, and enhancing health and wellbeing among older residents.

The Laughy Café breakfast club at Laurel Avenue Community Centre, in Gilesgate, has become a vital part of the community, thanks to support from believe housing.

The housing association, one of the largest not-for-profit landlords in the northeast of England, awarded a £10,000 community grant in October 2024 to address the oversubscription of its lunch clubs.

The funding was used to launch a breakfast club, aimed at people over 50 from the Sherburn Road, Gilesgate, Belmont, Carville, and Claypath areas, which now sees almost 30 regular attendees every Tuesday morning for free food and activities.

Centre manager Claire Linfoot, who attended the centre as a child, ensures the centre is a sanctuary for residents, creating opportunities for all generations, tackling isolation and poverty, and improving local wellbeing.

She said: "I came to this community centre as a child, many moons ago. Born and raised here, I went through every youth club available.

“After moving away, and working in nursing and as a special constable, I returned to attend the toddler group with my third child.

“The previous manager, who ran it when I first came, said she was retiring and straight away I wanted the job. I knew how much the centre meant to me as a child, and I wanted to ensure it continued to provide opportunities for others."

The grant from believe housing enabled her to start the Laughy Café by covering staff costs and expenses for food and activities.

Claire added: "The funding from believe housing has made an incredible difference, enabling us to provide regular support to improve mental health, physical health, and social wellbeing."

Kimberley Smith, a Community Investment Coordinator at believe housing, recently visited the breakfast club and was inspired by the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

She said: "The breakfast looked and smelled delicious, and it was clear how much the attendees value the opportunity to connect and enjoy activities with their community members.

“This project is improving lives and enhancing the community by providing essential support and opportunities for older people to stay active and make friends."

Residents have also expressed their gratitude for the breakfast club.

Susan Thompson, 78, shared: "I came to a lunch club here a few years ago which helped me regain my confidence. When Claire set up the breakfast club, I started coming here. We enjoy the food, activities, and trips out together.

“Claire is a real hero, and I’d be in the house alone if I didn’t have this place. I’m very aware of the hard work and funding that goes into it and am very grateful for both."

Nicola Johnson, 57, added: "I was a carer for 30 years and have health problems. I didn’t get out before, but now I love coming to this group. I feel safe and happy here; it’s a really special place."

And Malcolm Howden, 76, said: "I had a mental breakdown four years ago, and without this place and the people, I might not be here. It gets me out of the house for a nice meal, and I look forward to coming now. It’s certainly better than being stuck indoors staring at the carpet."

The Laughy Café breakfast club continues to foster strong community bonds, with residents helping to plan the various activities such as bingo, crafts, and quizzes.

They have even created a bucket list from theatre trips to visiting a farm, which they are working though.