Communities Fund provided £957 of match funding
Rose Cottage Community Food & Financial Wellbeing
Trimdon Station, County Durham, United Kingdom
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Aim
Helping local people reduce financial pressure through affordable food, practical money support and a welcoming community hub.
Who are we?
Rose Cottage Community Hub CIC is a welcoming community hub based in Trimdon Grange, County Durham. We bring people together, reduce social isolation and provide affordable activities, support and opportunities that help people feel more connected, confident and part of their community.
Over the years, we have seen first-hand how financial pressures affect people's lives. Rising food, energy and household costs can mean people cut back not only on essentials, but also on the social contact and activities that protect their wellbeing.
For someone living alone or struggling financially, even the cost of having the heating on, making a meal or going somewhere for a cup of coffee can become something they have to think carefully about.
Our idea – Community Food & Financial Wellbeing Hub
We want to develop Rose Cottage into a year-round Community Food & Financial Wellbeing Hub, providing a friendly and non-judgemental place where local people can access affordable food, practical support, social connection and help to feel more in control of their finances.
We know that asking for help with money can be difficult. Not everyone feels comfortable walking into a service labelled as debt or financial support.
That's why our approach is different.
People can come to Rose Cottage for a community meal, a cuppa, company or a friendly drop-in and, while they are here, find out about support available to them without stigma or judgement.
We want to reach people before financial pressures become a crisis.
What will we provide?
Through the project we plan to provide regular affordable or subsidised community meals and refreshments alongside practical financial wellbeing support.
We will create opportunities for people to access information and sessions around:
budgeting and managing household spending
understanding and reducing household bills
energy costs and practical ways to reduce energy use
affordable meal planning and reducing food waste
benefits, entitlements and other support people may be eligible for
recognising scams and avoiding financial harm
digital support for accessing online accounts, services and better-value options
knowing where to turn for specialist debt, benefits or financial advice.
Where specialist advice is needed, we will work with or signpost to appropriate organisations rather than trying to replace existing professional services.
Food, friendship and financial wellbeing
Financial wellbeing is about more than numbers on a bank statement.
Financial pressure can lead people to withdraw from social activities, lose confidence and become increasingly isolated. This is particularly difficult for people living alone or already experiencing poor wellbeing.
Community meals will therefore be an important part of the project. They will provide affordable food, but also give people a reason to leave the house, meet others and build relationships.
Someone may initially come through the door because they need an affordable meal or somewhere welcoming to spend time. They may leave having made a new friend, discovered support they did not know they were entitled to or learned something that could reduce their household costs.
Building on what we know works
This is not completely new work for Rose Cottage.
We have previously provided warm-space and food-hub support during periods of significant cost-of-living pressure. Local people told us how valuable it was to have somewhere warm and welcoming where they could have food and drinks, spend time with others and access information and support.
We now want to build on that experience.
Rather than responding only during the coldest winter months or waiting until somebody reaches crisis, we want to provide year-round early support that helps people become more financially resilient.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are aiming to raise £15,000 to make this project possible and accessible to people who need it most.
The money raised will help towards:
community meals, food and refreshments
project staffing and coordination
a contribution towards the premises and energy costs required to provide the project
financial wellbeing workshops and specialist sessions
volunteer expenses and support
outreach and promotion so we can reach people who may not currently use the Hub
practical resources and participant support
running regular community drop-ins where people can access information, friendship and support.
Keeping costs low is extremely important. We do not want somebody's financial circumstances to be the reason they cannot walk through our door.
The difference your support will make
Our aim is not simply to provide free or affordable food.
We want people to leave this project feeling more confident, more connected and more in control of their financial wellbeing.
For one person, that might mean discovering financial support they did not know was available. For another, it could mean reducing household bills, learning how to budget more confidently or getting help before debt becomes unmanageable.
For someone who is isolated, the biggest change may begin with simply having somewhere to go and somebody to talk to.
By supporting this campaign, you will help us create a trusted local place where people can find practical help without judgement, build relationships and take positive steps towards greater financial security.
Together, we can help make sure that when local people are struggling, they do not have to face it alone.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 4th December 2026 at 1:11pm