A new community café, toilets and a space for learning, cooking, relaxing and community use are set to be accommodated in a new building in Boscombe’s Churchill Gardens.

The building will provide a hub for the Boscombe Aspire Project, which aims to work with local residents who are struggling with weight and employment challenges to provide them with access to local healthy food and develop job skills.

Cllr Jane Kelly, lead member for engagement, BCP Council said, “I am so pleased that our successful planning application means that we are getting closer to creating the Boscombe Aspire project. This will provide an exciting opportunity for local residents to join with other members of their community in learning new skills as well as adopting a healthy lifestyle to improve their sense of wellbeing.”

The Aspire project will work with other community projects and produce a passport of activities, mapping what is available in the area and when, so residents can easily navigate between Aspire and existing activities. This passport will be delivered to doors, introducing the menu available, and inviting participation. Participants can track their progress through the 12-week programme and other activities by having their passport stamped at each.

Delivery will start in April 2021, with the opening of the new building and launch of the passport and menu of activities.