CASHES GREEN COMMUNITY HUB

The environment

Over the course of this project, we have also made a positive impact on the environment by reducing waste, encouraging sustainable habits, and making better use of shared community resources. By offering warm spaces, shared meals, and regular activities under one roof, we have helped lower individual household energy use while creating opportunities for people to connect locally rather than travel further afield. Our forest school sessions have played an important role too, giving children hands‑on experiences in nature and helping them develop a deeper understanding of the outdoors, wildlife, and environmental stewardship. Across all our activities, we continue to prioritise low‑waste practices, reuse materials wherever possible, and promote a culture of care for both our community and the environment.

The local economy

Our work has also had a positive impact on the local economy by supporting residents through the cost of living crisis, creating opportunities for local organisations, and keeping essential community services accessible. By offering affordable meals, low‑cost activities, and free support sessions, we have helped families and individuals stretch their budgets further while still accessing high‑quality provision. Our partnerships with organisations such as Stroud District Foodbank, P3, and Clean Slate have brought additional services into the area, reducing travel costs for residents and increasing local access to support. The centre also provides regular opportunities for local suppliers, session leaders, and small businesses, helping to circulate money within the community. By keeping the building open, warm, and well‑used, we continue to play a vital role in strengthening the local economy and supporting financial resilience for hundreds of households.

Volunteering, jobs & education

Our project has also had a meaningful impact on jobs, volunteering, and education within the local area. By sustaining and expanding our weekly programme, we have been able to support staff roles, provide consistent hours, and create opportunities for local session leaders and partner organisations to deliver their services at the centre. Our growing volunteer team has played a vital role in keeping activities running safely and warmly, and the project has helped us strengthen volunteer recruitment, training, and support. Volunteering at the centre has given people the chance to build confidence, develop new skills, gain experience in community work, and contribute to a cause that directly benefits their neighbours. Through our children’s activities, Youth Club, and forest school sessions, we have also supported informal education, helping young people develop social skills, resilience, creativity, and a deeper connection to nature. Together, these opportunities have contributed to local skills development, community participation, and a stronger, more resilient local workforce.

Arts, culture & heritage

Our programme has also contributed to arts, culture, and local heritage by creating accessible opportunities for creativity, expression, and shared community traditions. Through activities such as messy play, craft sessions, forest school, and Youth Club projects, children and families have been able to explore art, storytelling, and hands‑on making in ways that build confidence and spark imagination. Our community cafés and shared meals have become cultural touchpoints too — places where residents of all ages come together, share experiences, and strengthen the social fabric of the neighbourhood. By keeping these activities low‑cost or free, we have ensured that creativity and cultural participation remain accessible to everyone, including families who may otherwise face financial barriers. In doing so, we have helped preserve a sense of local identity, nurture intergenerational connection, and celebrate the diverse experiences that make our community unique.

Activity, health and leisure

Our activities have had a significant impact on health, activity, and leisure by providing accessible opportunities for physical wellbeing, social connection, and positive routines. Through our Youth Club, forest school sessions, and boxing programme, children and young people have been able to stay active, build confidence, and develop healthy habits in a safe, supportive environment. Our community cafés and shared meals have also played an important role in supporting wellbeing, offering nutritious food, warm spaces, and opportunities to reduce loneliness and improve mental health. For families with young children, sessions such as Stay & Play and messy play have encouraged movement, sensory exploration, and early development. By keeping all of these activities low‑cost or free, we have ensured that health‑promoting opportunities remain accessible to everyone, including those who may face financial or social barriers. Together, these sessions have helped residents of all ages stay active, connected, and engaged in positive leisure opportunities that support long‑term wellbeing.