Free funded spaces at the Owl Tree this Winter

Aim

We are aiming to offer a fun, creative, safe and supportive community space free of charge to families who need it this winter.

We are an established Community Cafe which aims to support families of under 5s in our area. 

We are very aware that our service will be needed this winter more than ever . Parents who are at home with younger children need affordable community spaces to go to that are indoors and age appropriate. Many of our families rely on us for warmth, food, company and sanity and in the winter months with rocketing energy prices we want to offer our space without financial barrier. 

We aim to combat loneliness in parenting and have communal tables to encourage peer support and conversations. We want families to be able to access our service as and when they need to not as and when they can afford to. 

Why do we need the cash?

We aim to raise funds to the equivalent of our entry fee income for the winter months so that we can throw open our doors to all. Those families who need a warm space, those who need company and to offer that without financial worry. Some may need us just occasionally, many on a regular basis and the importance of raising a child in community with social interaction for both the parent and child was clearly demonstrated when the reverse was the case during lockdown. 

How much do we need? 

In order to cover core costs without charging an entry fee, we need £2000 to open our doors to all in January, February and March, the colder months.  This £2000 will cover core costs and directly alleviate the financial burden on families allowing them to attend as needed rather than as they can afford. 

We want to welcome more families into our community and to remove all barriers for anyone attending. 

We have peer support volunteers always available to chat, a focus on good mental health for both parents and children and a team that goes above and beyond.

Many great friendships have been created at the Owl Tree Cafe. 

Here is one story: Jen & Jess

Bringing up young children is one of the most rewarding things in life, but it can also be one of the hardest and loneliest times of our lives. We are here to bring to fruition the African Proverb: It takes a village to raise a child.  We are that village, that community, please help us look after OUR community this winter. 

How can you help? 

Can you donate a few £££? to raise £2000 we would only need 400 people to donate £5 each. for each £5 you are paying for a 2 families or a family with multiple children to attend, and with match funding we can maximise those spaces. 

This project successfully funded on 3rd January 2023