What we are doing

We are trying to help reduce social isolation, loneliness and poverty, while at the same time offering support and training to help people get back on track in getting a job or getting the help and support they need. 

Although this alone will not fix all the problems out there, it will go a long way to help.

Of the 11,000 (approx) people living in Stranraer and the Rhins, poverty is a problem that effects 24% of people, with 18% of that 11,000 being children and this is increasing each year.

This could be for so many reasons, such as limited jobs, medical conditions, disabilities, education, the list continues.

To help combat this, we are offering a place people can go who are not judged, who are treated as an equal when they come though the doors. This can then help people combat social isolation or get the confidence to get out there and get a job and to know that they are not alone.

We want to reduce food waste, by taking donations from local food lead businesses who would normally throw this food away.

We want to help train people in hospitality including cheffing and front of house. We want to give people life skill training to help gain control of their own home whether it is understanding home safety, or being able to cook a nutritious meal on a limited budget.

We want people to come and ask for advice on anything. We would then give that advice or point them in the right direction to get the help and support they need.

Why are we doing this?

We are doing this because there is a need for it. With so much going on in the world, sometimes we forget about the problems that are right here on our doorstep. With nearly a quarter of people in Stranraer and the Rhins classed as in poverty, something needs to be done locally.

We are doing this to give people the chance to get themselves out of this situation. This is done by offering a place for anyone to come along, somewhere where people can get the needed advice, support or training to get them back on track.

People don’t want to be living constantly on handouts; they want the chance to fend for themselves. This can be done if they are given the chance or assistance to do this.

We have started this process by opening a café supported by local businesses and funding organisations to be able to offer all our services for free. This allows anyone who needs it, to come along, have something to eat and drink, chat to us as to what they need or want to do.

Depending on the needs of the individual, this could be just a friendly ear, or we could direct them to a professional service that they didn’t know about, or even enrol them on the skills transfer programme that we offer through volunteering at the café. Our café will be able to train people wanting to get into hospitality or cheffing which will give them a bigger and better chance of getting a job in this sector

All this will, in turn, reduce poverty and at the same time get people back into work, by giving the necessary support and training needed.

While all this is happening we hope that everyone will make new friends and know that help is out there for those who need it.

Although we offer our service for free, we do accept donations.