The first Thursday of every month, Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre is buzzing with community presence at this multi-agency coffee morning drop-in session brings together local support services and residents in an informal, welcoming setting.
PA and Ross Walk Housing Cooperative played a key role as one team.
The session provides an opportunity for our residents and other members of community to speak directly with Neighbourhood Coordinators, Antisocial Behaviour Officer, etc. in a relaxed environment, away from the pressures of formal appointments.
Our team focuses on early engagement and practical guidance, ensuring tailored advice to individual circumstances, helping residents understand their options and, where necessary, signposting them (literally walking them) to the most appropriate services – present at the very same event.
Working alongside partner agencies at the event strengthened collaboration and ensured residents could access multiple services in one place. This joined-up approach helps break down barriers, improves communication between agencies, and supports residents more effectively.
Mr N – an elderly resident member of Ross Walk Cooperative Housing for over 40 years – walked in during one of these events asking for Anzar. As the event was pre-advertised during a resident profile visit, successfully received help and support from Vista and the Leicester City Council adaptation team on the very same day, under the same roof.
Over coffee and conversation, attendees are able to ask questions, raise concerns, and receive advice on a range of housing-related issues, including housing applications, tenancy concerns, homelessness prevention, and available support services.
As Sarah Adams, Neighbourhood Coordinator from Midlands Tenancy Services, puts it:
“These coffee mornings are a great way for us to circulate with other local organisations such as the police but gives our residents the chance to see us at their leisure.”
I'm sure there are many success stories woven with coffee mornings and drop-in sessions countrywide, and I feel proud to be part of one of such events at the very heart of multicultural Leicester.
Mr and Mrs G are Ross Walk Co-op resident members and regular attendees at the Belgrave Neighbourhood Multi-Agency Coffee Morning. They said:
“Anzar, we keep the mornings of the first Thursday of every month exclusively for your coffee morning.”
Rain or shine, Mrs K from The Wolsey Building is always there raising concerns for a clean neighbourhood.
Special thanks to: Zynthia Trust - Leicester, Leicestershire Police, The NHS Trust, Leicester City Council, Moneywise Leicester, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Services, and Vista (The Royal Leicestershire, Rutland and Wycliffe Society for the Blind)!
