Who are we?
Established in 1998, and based in Goole in the East Riding of Yorkshire, The Green Team is governed by a Board of Trustees; formed by people who live or work locally and give their time voluntarily. The charity has a high profile in the area and is both well regarded and trusted. We promote and provide volunteering opportunities for local people to play a positive role in society and in helping to build communities. Together we deliver a community garden maintenance service; we have 2 allotment plots; a community garden centre and we manage a community cafe in West Park Goole.
Community impact
Our community café is situated in the centre of a large, well maintained park, with established trees, beautifully planted flower beds, football pitches, BMX track, crown green bowling green, adult fitness equipment and a children’s play area.
The café welcomes people from Goole and beyond and is a hub within the community; opening 6 days a week, where people meet with friends, or people come to just to have someone to talk to who maybe live alone and feel lonely.
The café operates as a training facility where people have the opportunity to learn about hospitality, customer service, retail, food hygiene, food preparation and also improve skills such as communication and numeracy through till work. People come and join our team from many different backgrounds including those with learning disabilities and difficulties, NEETS, with physical disabilities, mental health issues, retired, semi-retired, health issues, dealing with personal issues or challenges, long-term unemployed, with low literacy levels. Some have not had the best start to life.
Through our experience as a staff team, we work with individuals; offering not just training but also support, guidance, meaningful involvement, purpose, structure and routine to those who need it; crucial for moving forward. Confidence, self-worth, motivation and aspiration is improved and they meet new people and make new friends.
Through our volunteers coming into contact with our customers, something that we do witness many times is the breaking down of barriers within very different groups. A platform where we have the ability of raising awareness of issues, disability or difficulties with an aim of challenging mis-conceptions or prejudgements, leading to a more cohesive society.
Why are we crowdfunding?
Goole is in an area of deprivation; many people are on low incomes and use foodbanks regularly and the cost of living crisis has only exasperated the strain on finances for many local people. We have this resource of our cafe; this welcoming environment, where people know and feel comfortable. We want to be able to not only continue to offer this community café as a place to meet friends or to have social interaction but where they feel welcomed to stay a little longer in a place of warmth.
How we’ll spend the money raised
Our costs have increased considerably and we too are feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis and need financial help ‘to keep the fires burning.’