The friendly front faces of the Centre

For the majority of people contacting to the Centre, our ‘Welcome Hub’ team members are the first friendly faces they see, or warm voices they hear.

Whether local people are popping in to say hello and see what’s happening, looking for some help or advice or struggling to cope with their life situation, our Community Connectors are here to help.

Comprising of Kate, Mandy, Ricky (shown above) and Luckey, the team members respond in a variety of ways according to the needs of each individual.  Whether in person, by phone or email, their aim is to liaise with compassion and to triage people effectively to the most appropriate services and support – including for those that don’t have English as a first language.

The work of the Community Connectors is responsive and nuanced.  If someone is feeling low, overwhelmed or isolated, welcome hub team members spend time talking with them using a person-centred approach (and often a cup of tea) to understand what’s happening in the person’s life. They will often use the opportunity to link people and families with activities, learning and opportunities on site, as well as it the wider community.

The welcome hub team plays a key part in cost-of-living crisis support, distributing emergency vouchers from support schemes to local people and families most in need and linking them with other help and advice as quickly as possible.

The team maintains information on services and activities available across the Centre charity, Bow Foodbank, the NHS health practice and in the surrounding areas. They support and run community-development and resident-led groups locally as well as activities on-site, including coffee groups, card-making, walking groups and LGBTQIA+ group activities.

To contact the Welcome Hub

Drop in: 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday (11am opening on the second Thursday of each month)
Email: connect@bbbc.org.uk
Call: 020 8709 9700

Bow Foodbank is open on site every Monday 8.30am – 12.30pm