Clent Connect From our community café and shop to the wider activities we offer, Clent Connect is all about bringing people together and helping everyone feel a little more connected. Everything we do is made possible by the time, care and generosity of our dedicated team volunteers and staff, whose commitment keeps things running and creates such a warm, welcoming and inclusive space for the whole community to enjoy.
Meet Eddie…
This month, we’re delighted to celebrate Eddie, who has recently been recognised by his fellow volunteers with a Clent Connect Service Star Award for his outstanding dedication, reliability and support – a well-deserved tribute from the people who work alongside him every day.
Eddie has been volunteering with Clent Connect for around 2 years now, stepping in to cover shifts whenever he’s needed rather than keeping a fixed slot. “I feel that’s a bit more useful,” he says; a modest summary of someone who turns up reliably and gets stuck in wherever help is required. As well as driving vulnerable residents with mobility difficulties to and from appointments and the Hub Cafe every week, and of course running our popular Jigsaw Library, Eddie also keeps things in order behind the scenes – most recently rescuing our beloved shop trolley after its unfortunate encounter with a small hurricane!
When asked what drew him to volunteering in the first place, Eddie’s answer was simple and honest: “I found my life a little bit empty and I wanted to be worthwhile.” …And worthwhile he certainly is! On what he loves most about being part of Clent Connect, he put it just as plainly: “I like making new friends, I like helping people, I just like being useful!”.
Eddie also spoke to us about how much he values the Clent Connect shop itself as a community resource, pointing out that since many of the local amenities in Clent have closed, having somewhere nearby for residents to pop in has become genuinely invaluable. He finished by saying he’d like to thank everyone at Clent Connect for making him feel so welcome. We think that welcome has been very much mutual, Eddie – and congratulations on a thoroughly deserved award!
Meet Carol…
Carol is one of our a widely beloved and dedicated Café Leads. She was recently recognised as a COMMUNITY CHAMPION – an award celebrating our volunteers who bring people together, strengthen social connections, and help reduce isolation.
Carol began volunteering around four years ago, following the COVID period, when Clent Connect first inspired many local residents to get more involved in the community.
For Carol, volunteering has been as rewarding personally as it has been for others:
“It’s lovely to see people in the village – everyone’s happy when they come here. You end up chatting to people you might only have seen in passing before, and now you properly get to know them. I wouldn’t want to give that up.”
A regular on Wednesdays and many Saturdays, Carol has also discovered a love of baking through her role:
“The cheese scones are probably the most popular thing we do, but I love making ginger cake and bara brith. There’s always a great variety; apple pies, Victoria sponge, chocolate cake… everyone brings their own ideas.”
Stories like Carol’s are at the heart of Clent Connect. Our volunteers don’t just keep things running, they help create a warm, welcoming space that the whole community can enjoy.
Meet Jack…
Jack is one of our dedicated young volunteers, regularly giving his time on Saturdays and recently recognised with a Service Star Award – celebrating his outstanding reliability, commitment, and the support he brings behind the scenes to keep Clent Connect running smoothly.
Jack first chose to get involved because Clent Connect “seemed like such a great little community, bringing people together” – and that sense of connection is exactly what has kept him coming back week after week for nearly three years.
For Jack, volunteering is as much about the people as it is the role itself. He enjoys the energy of the hub, describing it as “a great community” where you meet so many different people every day. No two days are ever quite the same, which keeps things fresh and rewarding.
When it comes to the café, Jack keeps it simple – he’s a big fan of the cakes, and who can blame him. With such a constantly changing selection made by our talented volunteers, there is always something new to enjoy.
Jack’s consistency, positivity, and willingness to help wherever needed make him a hugely valued part of the team. His Service Star Award is very well deserved, and we’re incredibly grateful for everything he does to support Clent Connect.