Ashfield In2Focus

Ashfield In2Focus meets changing rooms

The Hub on Market Street, Ashby de la Zouch has been given complete face lift thanks to the Ashfield In2Focus. 

Ashfield In2Focus joined Leicestershire Cares in March 2008 and set about finding a local project to support.

The Hub is a small community café in Ashby de la Zouch used by people of all ages throughout the day. Upstairs is a space where young people can relax, use the internet watch films and socialise in the evenings and at weekends. Volunteers organise other activities, advice sessions and support within a positive and attractive environment aimed at offering them an alternative to hanging around parks and pubs.

The Hub were seeking support to apply a bit of paint to their tired staircase, however when a team from Ashfield In2Focus Worthy Causes Fund met Pat Goldsmith, the project manager, the team were inspired by the great work and wanted to do alot more.

Ben Driver Training Executive at Ashfield In2Focus said ‘After finding out what the Hub does for young people from around Ashby, we felt that they deserved more than just the stairs repainting. We wanted to refurbish the whole place for them and give them a new identity within Ashby.’

A team representing the Ashfield In2Focus Worthy Causes Fund presented a proposal to the trustees to enhance the high street presence of The Hub and ultimately help generate more funds through the cafe for the community initiatives for the young people. This included  a new identity, a new exterior to the Hub so that passers-by can see the changes, decorating the interior and new furniture.

The trustees grabbed the opportunity with both hands and a group of volunteers gave up their weekend to perform the changing rooms style makeover. Paul Frater from Ashfield In2Focus  said ‘It was an opportunity for people from all levels of the business to get involved. We has directors and managers from head office,  field-based employees and family and friends all helped out. It was a real team effort.’

Pat Goldsmith from the Hub said ‘The redesign has had such a positive impact on all of us at the Hub, it looks more youth orientated and the young people seem for comfortable within the environment. The volunteers and workers also seem revitalised and encouraged that members of the Ashfield In2focus Worthy Causes Fund have taken an interest in what they do, giving up their own time to help to improve the Hub.’

Sarah Martin, Marketing Manager at Ashfield In2Focus commented "It was exhausting, 2 long days but we had so much fun and we'll continue to support The Hub".

|The Hub officially reopened on 26th June and the team at Ashfield In2Focus had a further suprise for Pat. Ben Driver commented "we set a budget for the project from the Ashfield In2Focus Worthy Causes Fund and we had so much goodwill that we were able to save money. It seemed only right to give the money to The Hub" Chris Corbin, Managing Director of Ashfield In2Focus presented a cheque for £800 to Pat Goldsmith.

Since the Hub  reopened there has been a  rise in young people using the facilities. The transformation that the café has been through has also been welcomed by past and new customers alike. Situated on Bath Street Corner there have been comments like ‘we can really see you now’ and the new tables really liven up the café. The next problem is that there isn’t enough seating during the busiest times of the day.

Ashfield In2Focus would like to add special thanks to :

Design by Jack www.designbyjack.co.uk for the design work
Service Graphics for the signage
Olive Catering for donations