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 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.UNITY CHAMPION – an award celebrating our volunteers who bring people together, strengthen social connections, and help reduce isolation.