Comic Relief helps centre 'keep the doors open'

People who use a popular community hub that is supported by Comic Relief have spoken of the "magic" experiences it gives them, and the wide range of support it provides.

The Strand Centre in Dawlish hosts The Men's Shed, other support groups, special events, live bands and craft making as well as offering free meals for the homeless and debt management advice and a foodbank for struggling families.

It's been a community hub for 15 years, and operates with just one paid member of staff and a big team of volunteers.

Comic Relief has provided funding towards some of the centre's running costs for the last two years - it is Red Nose Day on Friday.

Steve Wheatley is a retired police officer and law enforcement consultant and a regular at the Men's Shed.

He said: "Everybody has got a story. Everybody has got a life experience and the exchange is quite fabulous, and there's the magic."

The Men's Shed took off three and a half years ago under the direction of volunteer, 80-year-old Bruce Foster.

It started as a small wooden shed constructed at the back of The Strand Centre between two walls and has developed into a treasure trove of tools, craft-making, and warm conversations.

Foster said: "It offers a lovely place for people who are retired to come and just be with other men... whether they've carpentry skills or not - doesn't matter."

Roman Kubasiewicz is another regular and said: "It keeps you active, keeps an interest in things and it's nice to just come down, you may just have a little problem, and have a chat."

The groups makes items to sell and has also worked on the town's library, the museum, the bowling green, in peoples' homes and on The Strand Centre itself.

The Strand Centre is based in a church and Sheila Donaldson has volunteered there for 12 years.

She said: "I needed a focus and something to get me up and out of house, and meet people."

She added: "It makes me feel emotional that we can help people in a crisis.

"We can help people with situations, for example our foodbank, or just to be there to listen, have a cup of tea, coffee, a free meal... keep warm."

Secretary of The Strand Community Trust, Claire Foullon, said the Comic Relief funding over the last two years "means a lot to us".

"It means we can keep The Strand Centre running - we can keep the doors open," she said.

Chair of trustees, Barrie Cooper, added: "We encourage people of all generations to come together.

"It's a safe, warm space for people to come throughout the week. We're serving the community by helping to relieve poverty."

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