Community breakfast club in West Bridgford receives support through RBC’s Community Wellbeing Fund
Last updated: 26/5/2026
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) has awarded funding from its Community Wellbeing Fund to support a new breakfast club in West Bridgford helping to reduce loneliness and strengthen community connections.
RBC awarded £4,500 to The Bridge Notts CIC to deliver a new social eating project in Rushcliffe. Following partnership work with Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) to tackle food poverty and isolation among older people, MTVH identified the need for this project in and around Walcote Drive, West Bridgford.
The initiative is designed to address food poverty, social isolation and poor health among older residents and low-income families. The weekly breakfast sessions, held at Walcote Drive Community Centre, provide nutritious, fully subsidised meals, for MTVH residents.
The weekly breakfast sessions, held at Walcote Drive Community Centre, provide nutritious, affordable sit-down meals, alongside cooking demonstrations and family-friendly activities. The sessions offer a welcoming and inclusive environment for those at risk of social exclusion.
The sessions offer a welcoming and inclusive environment for those at risk of social exclusion. Attendees can also access information and advice on a range of services, including health, housing and financial support.
The Bridge Notts CIC also bring along donated fruit, vegetables and other goods for the attendees to take home, all donated from local supermarkets, in the aim to tackle food poverty and ensure everyone has access to healthy food options no matter their financial circumstances.
The Community Wellbeing Funding supports venue hire, volunteer travel and other delivery costs, as well as marketing to help promote the sessions within the local community.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Wellbeing and ICT, Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, recently attended a session to meet The Bridge Notts CEO Blair Lawrence-Broughton, along with volunteers and residents, and see first-hand how people are benefiting.
Cllr Wheeler said: “We’re pleased to support this important project through our Community Wellbeing Fund, helping bring people together while tackling food poverty, social isolation and improving health and wellbeing.
“This funding will enable the team to build on their experience in delivering similar programmes and reach those most at risk of social exclusion, while strengthening community cohesion across the borough.
“Blair, Kat and all the volunteers do a fantastic job delivering these weekly sessions. If you live locally in an MTVH home, I encourage you to come along, meet others and enjoy a warm, welcoming breakfast.”
MTVH Regional Community Coordinator Katrina Campbell Coupland said: “MTVH is proud to support the Walcote Drive breakfast club in partnership with The Bridge Notts CIC and Rushcliffe Borough Council. Initiatives like this play a vital role in bringing residents together, reducing social isolation, and supporting those affected by the rising cost of living.
“It’s fantastic to see the positive impact these sessions are already having for residents, and we look forward to seeing the project continue to grow and reach even more people in the community.
“It’s far more than food, it’s about creating connections, building confidence, and supporting residents to feel part of their community. This project is a true testament to the power of collaboration and partnership working.”
The Bridge Notts CEO Blair Lawrence said: “It has been a pleasure to work alongside MTVH and RBC to deliver this pilot project.
“MTVH saw the benefit of this project and supported us with additional funding to keep it going, which says a lot. We have built amazing relationships with the local community/ attendees and have seen social engagement from residents who traditionally don’t want to engage in community initiatives. Residents are really hoping we can keep it going beyond the current funding.
“We (myself and our volunteers) love delivering these sessions at Walcote Drive and hope to be able to continue them going forward.
“We are currently working on a trip to take attendees on a tour of the Nottingham Forest Ground with a traditional afternoon tea afterwards. We want to thank RBC for the belief in our project.”