On Thursday 4^th July, BDCA held an opening ceremony for our new building, the WELLcome Hub, located at 35 Vicarage Lane, E6 6DQ.

The celebration was attended by service users, volunteers, partners and staff. Sarah Laing, CEO of BDCA gave a speech and the ribbon was cut by Deepa Selvaraj, Facilities Manager. Guests were treated to delicious home-made lunch and a celebratory cake.

The building had been sitting empty for many years, and intermittently used as a night shelter. Newham Council gave BDCA ‘meanwhile use’ of the building for 2 years. The WELLcome Hub now hosts our Food Bank, Food Club, Family Hub and Debt Advice services.

From an empty, grubby shell, the building has become a colourful home and given a new lease of life. This was thanks to the hard work from the local community, volunteers and staff, including volunteers from Mastercard who donated their time to paint the walls. The renovation of the space was also made possible thanks to financial support from donors, funders and partners, including Cadent Gas, the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers and Lucy Wray who ran the Shakespeare Marathon for BDCA.

Sarah Laing, CEO, said, “Whoever you are, whatever part you have played, thank you for turning a house of bricks and mortar into a home filled with love and warmth.”