New Chesterfield community hub provides 'home from home' space

Umbrellas Cosy Hub will bring a childcare base, craft groups, bingo, exercise classes and a quiet spot for a coffee and a chat to the Grangewood area.

Led by organisers Jane and George Bentley, the team has taken over an underused community building at the centre of the Grangewood estate on Burns Close.

“We are looking to be a place of safety and sanctuary for people in the area, somewhere where they can come for a coffee and a chat, or just to be quiet and get some mind space,” Jane said.

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The hub was officially opened on Friday, January 24 by the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire William Tucker, and residents and businesses were given an opportunity to check out the new facilities.

Jane said Friday’s launch was ‘very successful’ and ‘a great way to start the new life that will be taking place at Umbrellas Cosy Hub’.

“Several people who were there commented on how much it felt like being in a home from home, and one person said how for them it had already become somewhere where they felt safe and could relax,” she added.

The Umbrellas team – now part of the Community Transformation charity – began their search for a new community hub for the area in 2017 and the launch event was a moment of celebration after a lot of hard work.

They had initially hoped to develop a nearby pub, but after this stalled set their sights on developing the old community centre on Burns Close after securing a five-year lease from Chesterfield Borough Council.

It will be open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, for anyone to pop in.

The carer and baby group will take place on Tuesday mornings and will be named Cosy Cubs, while chair-based exercise classes will take place on Monday afternoons at 2pm.

The hub is financed through donations, and if you can help contact Jane by email here.