The Better Days Cafe aims to expand its services to Ventnor’s community by offering breakfasts and a lunch club for children in the school holidays.
In order to kick-start this ambition, in a brief ceremony last week, Ventnor Rugby Club has donated £250 to Kirsty Chapman who opened the cafe in the spring of 2022.
The money was raised when the rugby club was used as a marshalling post and feeding station in May’s cycling Randonnee.
What is The Better Days Cafe?
Kirsty Chapman set up The Better Days Cafe to act as a hub for the social needs of Ventnor so it’s particularly apt that it is situated in the old Central Hotel.
It provides a pathway to employment for people with mental health and learning disabilities as well as acting as a signpost for people to seek assistance for mental health issues and benefit advice.
Chapman: Promoting inclusion and alleviating loneliness
As Kirsty stated,
“People with these issues and learning disabilities are invisible, often feeling socially excluded and lonely.
“A large amount of these people will never have worked, worn uniform or felt part of a team.
“The Better Days Cafe aims to train and offer work to these people promoting inclusion and alleviating loneliness.”
When Jonathan Frost, the bishop of Portsmouth, visited The Better Days Cafe recently, he was so impressed that he recommended that all towns should follow the example.
Image: Roly Toombs (the facilities manager at Ventnor Rugby Club) handing over the cheque to Kirsty Chapman with Karri Bruce (left) and Amy Byford (next to Kirsty) in The Better Days Cafe
News shared by James on behalf of Ventnor RFC. Ed
