It's 10am on a cold Thursday morning in Netherfield but already there has been a steady flow of visitors through the doors of the St George Centre in Victoria street. The centre has been operating since 1998 and it has provided vital support for the local community who rely on it for everything from food to karate lessons.
As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, the centre faces a tough few months ahead with many of its services in high demand. The centre is being used as a warm hub where visitors can go to stay warm as energy bill increases have made it difficult for people to heat their homes.
On the day of our visit, the centre is running a jobs fair. Those looking for work can also opt into CV writing workshops or join college courses. There are also options for things like Slimming World and memory cafes for those with dementia and workshops on preventing falls in the home.
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One of the most popular services the hub provides is its cafe which offers nutritional meals for as little as £1 along with a cup of tea or coffee. It's not just a meal - for several of its visitors, it's a chance for a conversation or some support. Meals have included ham and feta-filled flatbreads with savoury rice and pastry-based cheese and onion quiche and salad.
Tina Simpson is the treasurer and trustee of the centre. She says the community-owned centre moves with the times to react to whatever situation that people are facing.
"We've always had an onsite cafe but it's evolved and grown to be more than just sandwiches. We decided we wanted to put more food on for people so that we could give them proper home-cooked food within an environment that brings people together so it's about social eating," she explained.
"Yesterday we had roast turkey dinner and a vegetarian option like casserole. Today we have chilli with jacket potato or chicken curry with rice. We also do homemade soup like mushroom with chunky bread that has been donated by Adkins Bakery. That's how we put it back into the community."
Regular visitors have noticed an increase in people visiting over recent months as it has got colder. Jayne Harlowe from Carlton has been coming to the centre for a few months. She likes popping down for the company and a cuppa. She also highlighted that visiting the cafe, which serves as a warm hub, means she has been able to delay switching her heating on.
"I enjoy the meals and camaraderie here as we get on so well and get to play bingo together," she said. "I've not had my heating on yet but coming here helps you to save a bit so you can switch it on when you need it."
Audrey Buckby from Netherfield lives locally to the centre. She agreed that it provides vital daily meals, saying: "It's always warm here and the people are lovely. I've come here for five years now and I come from 9.30am to 2pm every day for my meals."
Adrian Fitzpatrick has been visiting since March after he went through a bereavement. He has found great support at the centre and also helps a friend to access food through the centre.
"The reason I've been coming here is that I'm going through a bereavement. The staff here have really helped me especially as they have introduced the meals now," he said. "They are great and different every day. I always take some away with me for a friend with anxiety as its too much for her to come here. The meals are only £2 but to cook them at home on the hob would cost far more. So you can save a lot by coming here."
At the height of Covid, the cafe was preparing more than 150 meals per day for local residents but this has now dropped. However, the team are still preparing a high number of dinners.
"We serve on average 30 to 60 meals a day across five days a week. It seems as the week goes on, it gets busier so we can do around 60 meals on a Wednesday of which 10 are vegetarian," Tina said.
"During Covid, people came every day to pick up a meal and were able to talk at a distance to a friend which kept people motivated and moving. We got feedback that our meals were a lifesaver and they still are for those who come to take them away because you know they are having a hot cooked meal."
The centre aims to empower people to pop in, not just for food or heat but for their mental health too. The front of the reception area has a donation centre where visitors can shop for items and often puts excess food items outside for people to take if they need to.
"Everyone is worried but it's a support mechanism. If you are all together, here and chatting with your friends then you have a bit of support. We work closely with the council, citizens' advice and Jigsaw Homes so help is on hand but people have to ask for it," Tina said.
"There has been a rise and that flutter of fear from everyone, including us. I don't think it's going to hit until the weather changes in December or January. It's early days and we are all worried but we can still make sure everyone is fed."
Some pubs across Nottinghamshire are also offering similar 'warm hubs'. Local councils across the county also previously confirmed that they were looking into plans to establish ‘warm rooms’ for local people who can’t afford heating this winter. The idea could see further community spaces – also known as ‘warm banks’ – popping up across the county, for locals struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills.
The Gedling Forum charity owns the St George's Centre and campaigners have worked tirelessly to open a youth centre in Netherfield's old GP practice in Forester Street. The new Loco Youth Centre officially opened earlier this month.
The charity had rented the previous Loco Centre - also in Victoria Road - from the Methodist Church. But campaigners previously spoke of a plan to hand back the old Loco Centre, a facility for young people, following the opening of the new youth centre.
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