In this short personal blog, East Cambridgeshire Village Agent, Sophie Payne, looks at how the local social hub is helping drive forward positive changes in the local community and encourages Haddenham residents to take part in a new survey to understand local transport issues.

 

Do you live in Haddenham? We’re working with Haddenham Parish Council to find out how local transport works for you – and where it falls short. Please share your experiences by completing our transport survey. You don’t need to attend Haddenham Social Hub to have your say.

Community Hubs, not just for a cup of tea

When we think of a community hub, we might picture a warm welcome, a friendly face and a chance to chat over a cup of tea. That’s an important part of what hubs offer: helping people feel connected, less alone and part of their community.

But a conversation over a cuppa can also be the starting point for something more. Hubs give people space to share ideas, talk about local challenges and explore what could make everyday life better.

Haddenham Social Hub: a place for ideas and action

Haddenham Social Hub is a good example. Led by volunteer Rachel Dennis, who is also a parish councillor, it brings people together and helps residents connect with those involved in local decisions.

These conversations offer a chance to hear what matters to residents. Listening to their experiences helps us spot shared concerns and explore practical ways to address them.

Haddenham Parish Council has recently been awarded the National Association of Local Councils’ Gold Award, highlighting their commitment to the development of the community — an achievement worth celebrating. [Read more about Haddenham Parish Council’s Gold Award.]

Turning local concerns into action

Transport is one area we’re exploring with Haddenham Parish Council. At Cambridgeshire ACRE, we want to understand the difficulties residents face when getting out and about.

We’d like to hear about journeys within Haddenham and to neighbouring towns and villages – whether that’s reaching shops, services or local facilities, taking part in activities, or meeting other people.

Are there journeys you find difficult or simply can’t make? What gets in the way, and how does that affect your day-to-day life?

Your experiences will help us build a clearer picture of local transport needs and consider what practical improvements might be possible. By working together, we can explore ideas grounded in the journeys people need to make.

Do you live in Haddenham? Have your say

Please share your experiences through our transport survey. Your answers will help inform any future proposals, so they reflect what local people need. Complete the Haddenham Transport Survey. If you’d prefer to complete a paper copy of the survey, please contact me (see details below) and I can arrange for one to be sent to you.

More than a meeting place

This is why community hubs matter beyond the welcome they offer. They give residents a place to be heard, connect with local decision-makers and take practical steps towards tackling shared challenges.

Sometimes, change starts with a conversation over a cup of tea. Sharing your experience through this survey is another way to help that conversation move forward.

Your experience matters. Please complete the Haddenham Transport Survey and help us build a clearer picture of the journeys local people need to make.

 

If you’d like to know more about the Haddenham Social Hub, please contact me for a chat. My phone number is 01353 865036 or you can email me at sophie.payne@cambsacre.org.uk.