“We want everyone to feel welcome here”
Situated next door to our Pease Pottage hospice, our Woodgate Hub is a unique community space and café that helps fund our care. Here, Emma, our Woodgate Hub Manager, explains more.
Our Woodgate Hub seats more than 100 people in its café over two levels and outdoor seating overlooking the beautiful Woodgate green. The Hub also includes rooms for hire.
“We want everyone in our community to feel welcome here,” says Emma. “Throughout the year we recognise different festivals and holidays. We recently marked Chinese New Year and then will welcome Spring, Easter and Eid!”
Emma describes the Hub as “a gem” and word about this special space is spreading.
“People come in from the Woodgate development, Pease Pottage and surrounding towns. Many will stay for food and drink after the community classes that take place” shares Emma. “We have Hartbeeps baby and toddler sensory classes on Wednesdays, Over 50s Pilates on a Tuesday lunchtime, Yoga classes on Thursday evenings, Tappy Toes Toddler dance class on Fridays and Baby Ballet on Saturdays. It’s a wonderful meeting place for local groups, hospice fundraisers, and people meeting friends and family.”
Every visit to the Hub supports our hospice and all profits help fund our care.
“When people buy our homemade food or cakes, they’re donating to the hospice, that’s a feel-good reason to eat cake!” beams Emma. “The other day, a gentleman came to the hospice to collect his Mum’s memory leaf. He brought a coffee and we explained how he was donating to St Catherine’s by visiting us. He said he’ll be back. Our team love talking to our customers about how important their visit is to the hospice.”
“As well as customer support and our wonderful staff we’re very lucky to have great volunteers. They’re passionate about giving back to St Catherine’s and their community.”
Offering seasonal dishes and cakes and scones made in the café’s five-star hygiene rated kitchen, the Hub has something for everyone.
“As well as sandwiches and paninis we’re also proud to offer delicious daily soup made fresh by our team of hospice chefs” explains Emma. “Our seasonal cakes are what we’re best known for. My personal favourite is our Hummingbird Cake. It’s a blend of pineapple, banana, coconut and pecans and is amazing! All of Petra’s (our pastry chef) cakes are incredible but her traditional Apple Pie is pretty special too. Regular customers come in and ask us ‘What’s the cake of the day?’. Petra is so proud to produce inspired and nostalgic bakes, she often takes traditional recipes and adds her own twist and magical touch.”
There are drinks for everyone including babyccinos and puppuccinos as the Hub is dog friendly. “We can’t leave our furry friends out,” smiles Emma.
Our Woodgate Hub is open seven days a week from 9am to 4pm. For more information and to view our online menu visit: www.woodgatehub.org/
