Driven Forward - Tiia Stephens
Driven forward is a small charity set up in 2018 to enable adults who are socially excluded, isolated, lonely and vulnerable and those unable to access public transport the opportunity to participate in provided day trips, outing and social activities this includes the elderly and adults transitioning from homelessness to a new life in accommodation
Originally Driven Forward’s community wellbeing hub was set to open on 6th April 2020 plans took a dramatic change as a result of the Coronavirus. Driven forward’s Community Hub is based in a secure compound at Alexandra Gardens Car Park and has been providing meals for key workers and a group of volunteers cooks coordinated by Trustee Samantha Taylor provides daily home cooked meals to 12 homeless residents based in a local B&B seven days a week during the pandemic.
The compound is well suited to meet social distancing rules and has been well received by key workers who have found that their usual places to visit to get a hot drink or a meal are currently closed. Driven Forward is open 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
When the pandemic is over and life is on a more normal setting Driven Forward are planning to revert the community hub back to its original purpose to provide access to a community meal, well-being sessions, cooking lessons, and much more to the local community who may be referred and in need