March 30th, 2026.



Three years ago, Havens Community Hub was asked to work with Hillcrest Community Partnership to support the Hillcrest Centre's recovery from severe financial difficulties exacerbated by the pandemic. The joint effort aimed to restore the Centre as a vibrant community hub.

A key initiative was reopening the beloved community café, a gathering spot for connection, fresh food, and community bonding. With Havens’ assistance, hundreds of free meals were distributed to those in need, and a welcoming space was established through close collaboration with Hillcrest.

Today, the café has become a bustling hub, maintained by the dedication of Havens volunteers, Hillcrest Trustees, and staff from both organisations. It currently serves affordable, tasty food to residents, visitors, and venue hirers. As the Centre prepares to transition the café's operations back in-house by the end of April, the partnership marks a significant milestone.

This transition is not a farewell, but a celebration of shared achievements. Hillcrest will now lead the café into its next phase, ensuring it remains a valued community asset. Meanwhile, Havens will continue to provide supported morning meals for homeless individuals at the café, until its manager, Julia Dunstan, relocates to spearhead a new trauma-informed support initiative for people in crisis in the local community.

The Hillcrest Centre will continue to offer café services, including lunch, bookings, and event refreshments. Both organisations look forward to the future and will share updates on their growing community projects.

The partnership exemplifies a commitment to fostering a more connected and resilient community.

For more details about the Hillcrest Centre CLICK HERE.