In this blog, Head of Business Services, Alison, reflects on her recent visit to the Haddenham Social Hub, one of 39 Community Hubs that Cambridgeshire ACRE facilitates across the county.

 

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of joining our Chief Executive, Hayley Neal, on a visit to Haddenham Social Hub. The Hub was hosting guests from Cambridgeshire County Council, who came to see first-hand the difference their funding is making to the lives of older people across East Cambridgeshire.

Our visit reminded me just how far this Hub – and the 38 others like it in our Network – have come in becoming a vital part of the local health and wellbeing landscape.

 

A shared effort that’s shaping lives

Haddenham Social Hub is supported by funding from Cadent’s Centres for Warmth programme, the Garfield Weston Foundation and Haddenham Parish Council, with additional contributions from the Older Adults Social Inclusion Fund and the Household Support Fund, both administered by Cambridgeshire County Council. It’s clear that every pound is being put to work in ways that are both meaningful and measurable. This is a place where partners collaborate, volunteers step up and residents feel valued.

Take the role of Healthy You, for instance. Their team has trained local volunteers to lead activities such as chair-based exercises and wellbeing walks. These sessions are simple, but they have a tangible impact—on confidence, mobility and mental wellbeing.

Then there’s Living Sport, who took the time to consult attendees on what physical activities they wanted to try. Their response? Supplying sports kits and training for inclusive activities like indoor kurling and boccia. It was wonderful to see our guests from the County Council get stuck in – with Lisa Riddle and Jill Buckingham from the Communities service clearly enjoyed the boccia, while Gary Porter, Head of Libraries, showed an unexpected talent for lawn bowls.

 

Community spirit in action

What struck me most was how the Hub harnesses what’s already within the community. A local artist now runs weekly art and craft sessions, helping attendees slow down, connect with others and enjoy the benefits of mindfulness. These sessions aren’t just about creativity – they’re about connection, shared stories and a sense of calm. Watching people with their heads down, painting, colouring and crafting, whilst sharing low key chat was lovely to see.

 

The home of the Hub is now Haddenham Bowls Club and the Club’s members have gone out of their way to welcome Hub attendees. Several have now tried their hand at lawn bowls, supported by club members who understand how important it is to feel included and encouraged.

 

We also saw the local social prescriber in action – offering support, making referrals and, crucially, being part of the weekly rhythm of the Hub. This kind of embedded support makes it easier for people to access help when they need it, without navigating multiple systems or appointments.

 

Practical support that meets real needs

Of course, wellbeing isn’t just about social or physical activity—it’s also about feeling supported in life’s everyday challenges. That’s why Cambridgeshire ACRE’s Village Agent, alongside officers from East Cambridgeshire District Council and Sanctuary Housing, attend regularly. Their presence means that any resident who walks through the door has a trusted point of contact for advice on housing, benefits, energy or health.

It’s practical, it’s responsive, and it’s deeply rooted in listening to what local people actually need.

A brilliant example of this is the work of our Digital Champions – volunteers who are building their own digital confidence so they can help others do the same. Thanks to support from Connecting Cambridgeshire, we were delighted to hand over two laptops and a tablet during our visit, giving the Hub a small but mighty boost in its digital toolkit. Connecting Cambridgeshire have also facilitated a wi-fi connection for the Hub, as the premises did not previously have one.

 

 

These resources will help more people stay in touch with family, manage their health online or simply gain confidence with everyday tech. In a rural area, these digital steps can open doors to connection, services and opportunity.

Partnership at every level

One of the reasons Haddenham’s Social Hub works so well is because the community knows its value – and acts on it. Haddenham Parish Council continues to provide financial support, recognising that the Hub isn’t just a service; it’s an anchor in village life.

The Hub’s success is also a testament to the volunteers who make it run smoothly each week. They’re the ones who unlock the doors, put the kettle on, listen attentively, set up the chairs, and go out of their way to make everyone feel welcome. That kind of care can’t be mandated. It has to be grown – and it’s thriving here.

A model with heart

At Cambridgeshire ACRE, we talk a lot about collaboration. But it’s at places like Haddenham Social Hub that you really feel what that means.

It’s a place where:

• Funders, district and parish councils, housing providers and voluntary organisations align behind a shared purpose
• Volunteers are trained and empowered to lead
• Activities are chosen by the people who take part in them
• Support is embedded, trusted and easy to access
• Community is not an abstract idea—it’s a lived, tangible experience

These are the places where our values – empowerment, collaboration, integrity, creativity and commitment – come alive.

What happens next?

We’re proud of what’s happening in Haddenham, and we’re grateful to our colleagues at Cambridgeshire County Council for taking the time to see the Hub in action. We hope they left as inspired as we did.

There’s more to do, of course. Sustaining and growing these Hubs means continuing to build strong partnerships, secure long-term funding and ensure that local voices remain at the heart of what we deliver. But visits like this one remind us what’s possible when everyone works together with care and purpose.

To everyone who makes Haddenham Social Hub such a warm, welcoming and impactful place – thank you.

 

To find your nearest Community Hub, please visit our online listing of venues and opening days/times.