A DORSET charity has opened a community café for people struggling financial hardship and loneliness. 

Mayor of Poole, Cllr Julie Bagwell, visited the new Waste Not Want Not charity café in Poole last month to cut the ribbon and welcome people through its doors.

The Poole-based charity was set up to help people facing financial hardship, and the café joins the Waste Not Want Not social supermarket that is already operating in the same unit.

The charity’s aim was to create a safe space where people can socialise and make friends, while having access to food at a discounted price, or by donation in the case of extreme financial difficulties.

Erika Sloper, who has been managing the project, said: “The café is all about getting people to talk and meet each other.

“People come in and sometimes we’re the only person they’ve spoken to all day. The cafe is a place for them to meet people. It means they don’t have to eat alone.

“It takes away loneliness.”

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Founders of Waste Not Want Not, Elaine Lawford and Bill Deans, were present at the opening of the community café.

Elaine said: “We always wanted to have a café and with everything that’s happened with Covid it was a way to get the community going again.

“Erika is fulfilling our vision.”

The charity stocks a collection of discounted goods, including fresh food, drink, toiletries and pet supplies. There are also recipe cards placed in the store to encourage people to cook nutritional meals.

The day-to-day operation is supported by a ‘big family’ of volunteers.

One volunteer, Sue, said: “I think it will have a huge impact on the community.

“It will give people who are feeling lonely a chance to come in, talk to people and gain some confidence.

Waste Not Want Not can be found at 70 High Street, Poole.