Community hub faces uncertain future

The initiative includes a community café

A community service has warned it faces an uncertain future after its local government funding of £30,000 expired.

Educafe is a weekly initiative held at Newbury Library in Berkshire, offering a number of services including a community café and support for parents, and English language conversation groups called 'Chatty Corner'.

Director Janine Ford said the organisation would have to "strip back" its services if the funding gap was not filled, adding: "It will be really sad to let the community down."

The BBC has approached West Berkshire Council for comment.

The organisation was created in 2021 and initially was only supposed to be a community café for 30 people, but services expanded and the number of people it supported crept up to "more than 100 every week", Ms Ford said.

"We have always welcomed many more than we were initially contracted to deliver by West Berkshire Council," she said.

"This is much more than a café... it's a real community hub and everyone's welcome."

A weekly 'Chatty Corner' is held to help people practise their English

An English language conversation group called 'Chatty Corner' is also held every week.

Rona Maail came to the UK from Afghanistan three years ago with her three children and her husband.

She said when she first arrived she "didn't speak English at all", but met friends and teachers at Educafe who have helped her develop her skills.

"Now it's good," she said.

"I like to meet people, learn English, British culture."

Ms Maail has been going to Educafe for three years

Ms Ford said the organisation is now trying to raise funds as well as awareness.

It is also looking to develop relationships with local businesses.

"It has been incredible the amount of support we have had," she said.

"It's not just the money, it's the support that we have had over the years... it's really a community effort."