National Lottery grant awards £20,000 to fund community cafe run by Lift Barton Hill

Lift Barton Hill are delighted to have been awarded a grant by the National Lottery Fund, to enable them to expand the Community Cafe and Hub based at St Martin’s Church. The £20,000 grant has been awarded to the school in order for them to expand on the cafe and hub that was set up to support local families, as part of a national initiative to support their own communities from ‘cradle to career’. 

Initially, the space was rented next door to the school at St Martin’s Church for 2 hours a week. This funding award will mean that the cafe and hub can be staffed for up to 6 hours a week, providing a welcoming space where families can connect with one another and access informal support from school staff, if they need to. The funding will offer extra services including a community library, clothes bank, early intervention sessions and training workshops.

Principal at Lift Barton Hill, Sam Smith said:  “I am delighted that we have been awarded a grant to extend our community cafe. We know our families really value the support and being able to make this two to three mornings a week will provide a vital lifeline for many families. As part of the wider ‘Torbay Promise Cradle to Career initiative’, the cafe offers early support for families and reduces pressure on local services.”

Regional Education Director, Karl Sampson said: “Schools are uniquely placed to bring communities together, with the funding for this cafe showing what is possible when a school becomes a hub for connection, support and opportunity. We are incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and National Lottery players for enabling support in our community through the cafe and hub possible.”