Bewcastle Hub

Where

In the parish of Bewcastle. The parish is the biggest by geographical area in Cumbria and at the 2021 census had 397 inhabitants.

Who

The hub is open to all but especially aimed at local residents.

Why

The Hub was started by a group of friends in the Bewcastle parish in 2023 following a positive response to the Warm Space initiative the previous winter. We aim to provide a space for people of all ages to mix and socialise, to encourage friendships and social events in the community, to promote small businesses and give a platform for organisations to provide information and meet local people.

When

We meet every 3rd Sunday in the month at Roadhead Public Hall, and have just started a mini hub on the first Tuesday of the month at the same venue. Everyone is welcome, free drinks are provided along with bacon butties, soup and cakes at cost on the Sunday Hub, and free drinks at the Tuesday one. There is a kids table, book exchange and a swap table with a collection for a local charity. We have hosted fish and chip nights and taken the Hub to a local farm and the local school.

Thanks must go to the Bewcastle Fund for their moral and financial support, to the Borderland and Fellside Community Panel and the Cumberland Building Society for their start up support, the Police and Fire Commissioner and to the small band of volunteers who make sure the Hubs happen.

What are you most proud of?

Improving (from a low point) the community spirit within the parish. Providing a space where residents, and those further afield, can come together (it’s a very sparsely populated area with no public transport) to meet old friends, new friends, and enjoy a free cup of tea away from the cold / wind / rain. The attendance numbers are good and becoming increasingly popular. Given the huge area the parish covers, this is quite an achievement!

The hub also raises money for other local groups, including the First Responders, so we help the whole community.

How did you get people involved?

Lot of building connections within the local community, led by a small but strong group of volunteers. The hub is well publicised via social media, word of mouth and a good number of signs well placed along the areas roads!

What difference did the project make?

There is little in the area by way of social activity, because there are so many isolated dwellings, small hamlets and villages – so this is one of the few chances people get to meet their neighbours, make social connections, purchase some local produce and hear about different offers of support, and connect with those who represent the area to talk about their experiences and challenges (MP Julie Minns being a great example of that).

What do you wish you had known at the start?

The biggest challenge we have had is overcoming little support from the community elders, who hold positions of influence within the parish. If we could have met with them before we started, explained our idea and aim and get them to impart some of their worldly wisdom (basically try and get buy-in and support from them), this would have really helped. However we have prevailed and the hub has become really popular.

What do you hope for the future of your project?

We hope to continue providing a space for the community to get together. Also, increase our volunteer numbers to make things more sustainable. We’re keen for our Tuesday ‘mini hub’ to carry on because it offers people an additional opportunity to make social connections. We’re interested in looking at whether we can establish some kind of community transport initiative, to get people to and from the hub but also further afield – and how we might be able to provide more services locally, like a small shop or post office.