Eggborough Community Fights Loneliness With Tea And Cake

Sometimes, all it takes to brighten a day is a good chat over a cup of tea and a slice of cake. It sounds simple, but for some, finding a warm and friendly place for a bit of companionship can be tricky. In the village of Eggborough, a local church has created just that sort of place, and thanks to a bit of help from housebuilder Jones Homes, it's set to keep going for a good while yet. They’ve made a helpful donation to a weekly get-together that offers free refreshments and a friendly face to anyone who needs it, proving that building a community is just as important as building homes.

What's brewing at the welcome space?

Every Wednesday, between noon and 3 pm, the doors of the Eggborough Methodist Church swing open for its ‘Welcome Space’. It’s not just about a free cuppa; it’s a proper social gathering designed to bring people together. Imagine a room buzzing with chatter, the click-clack of Scrabble tiles, and the smell of freshly baked cake. That’s the sort of atmosphere the chapel stewards have created. It’s a place where people can pop in for a bit of company, join in with some fun activities, or simply sit and relax in a warm, safe environment. There are board games scattered on tables, offering a bit of friendly competition, and there’s always someone on hand to help with any tech troubles. So, if you’re struggling to work your new tablet or can't figure out your phone, there's friendly advice available to help with those digital devices. It’s a brilliant idea that offers both practical help and, more importantly, a chance to tackle the growing problem of loneliness. The whole thing is designed to foster a real sense of community.

A timely donation to keep the kettle on

Running a space like this, especially during the colder months, costs money. There’s heating, lighting, and of course, the all-important tea and cake supplies to think about. While the sessions were funded until the end of this year, the future was looking a bit uncertain. That's where Jones Homes stepped in. The company, which is currently building new family homes at its Teasel Green site in Eggborough, provided a £500 donation. This generous fund is a huge relief for the organisers. Brenda Oldfield, the church treasurer, explained just how much it means.

“We are extremely grateful to Jones Homes for their kind donation because although we have funding for the ‘Welcome Space’ sessions to the end of this year, we had nothing in the pot to continue the service.”

“However, thanks to this generous contribution we now know we have the finance in place to cover the refreshments and the lighting and heating for the sessions until March 2026, which is a nice feeling.”

That single donation secures the future of the Welcome Space for months to come, ensuring the kettle can stay on and the doors can stay open for the whole community.

More than just a natter

While the promise of complimentary cake is certainly a draw, the real magic of the Welcome Space is the fight against isolation. Loneliness can affect anyone, at any age, and creating opportunities for people to connect is vital. These sessions are all about building those social networks and offering genuine companionship. Brenda explained the simple, yet powerful, purpose behind the gatherings:

“These sessions are principally aimed at residents of Eggborough who might be at risk of loneliness and isolation. We encourage our guests to come along to build social networks and we also help them if they are having problems using their phones, tablets or laptops.”

“People like to have a good old natter at the sessions and one lady brings along her knitting and cracks on with that. We have a karaoke machine and have fun with that and we also have local musicians who come in to allow us all to have a good old singsong.”

From board games to singalongs, there's something to get everyone involved.

Building communities, not just homes

For Jones Homes, getting involved in local projects is a key part of their work. As a company that has been building homes since 1959, they understand that a neighbourhood is more than just bricks and mortar. It's about the people who live there. Their parent company, The Emerson Group, manages a vast commercial property portfolio, but it's these local connections that really show their commitment. Jayne Swift, the Sales and Marketing Director at Jones Homes Yorkshire, was delighted to be able to help. She highlighted how important these community hubs are.

“When Brenda approached us to see if we could help Eggborough Methodist Church, we were very happy to oblige.”

“It is heartwarming to know that we can help fund the continuation of the fabulous ‘Welcome Space’ every Wednesday.”

“It is wonderful to hear that there is a safe and friendly environment where people in the village can go for a chat and a cup of tea and a slice of cake. As the winter months set in it must be reassuring for local people to know that, once a week, there is a warm sanctuary at the local church.”

By supporting projects like this, Jones Homes shows it's not just building beautiful homes in places like Yorkshire; it’s investing in the well-being of the entire Eggborough community. It’s a lovely example of a business making a real, positive difference right where it matters most.