Appeal launched to refurbish Stables Café at Stubbylee Park

A fundraising appeal has been launched to raise £3,000 to refresh the Stables Café at Stubbylee Park, which supports green social prescribing and volunteering; more than £600 has been raised so far.

The Stables Café at Stubbylee Park in Bacup has been a central part of the park's community life. The park has held Green Flag Community Award status every year since 2020. The café is run by The Bacup Consortium Trust and supports green social prescribing, volunteering and inclusive community activity. It opened in 2016 after funding from the Manchester Diocese Community Fund, Awards for All and volunteer effort. Key details: - The café is used by families, dog walkers, volunteers, staff and visitors and hosts community meals such as Bacup Prosperity Potlucks. - Participants at Prosperity Potlucks report increased belonging, more positive feelings and new connections through shared meals and conversation. - Stubbylee Community Greenhouses received the King's Award for Voluntary Service and the RHS Discretionary Award for Gardening for Health and Wellbeing in 2024. - A Facebook fundraising appeal has been launched with a target of £3,000 and more than £600 raised so far. - The refurbishment aims to improve lighting, heating, seating and the efficiency of volunteer workspaces. - Local businesses have been invited to support the project as Patrons in Kind by donating items, and an email address (info@thegreenhouses.org) is listed for enquiries. Summary: The appeal is intended to fund upgrades that would make the café brighter, warmer and more welcoming for volunteers and visitors while supporting the wider wellbeing and training programmes linked to Stubbylee Community Greenhouses. The campaign has reported over £600 toward its £3,000 target. Undetermined at this time.