North East Fife Community Hub

The Club enjoyed a hugely informative talk from Stewart Kerr, a director of the North East Fife Community Hub. This wonderful charity is now firmly based in their new premises at the former St David’s Home in St Mary’s Place, St Andrews.

Stewart outlined the history of the charity and how eventually, after several moves, it was able to buy St David’s from Fife Council. Though the property had been neglected for several years and required substantial refurbishment, a team of volunteers set to work and quickly made it fit for purpose. Funding for the purchase and improvements came from the Scottish Land Fund, various charities and private donations.

One of the main objectives of the Hub is to help those in the community who are suffering from loneliness, mental health problems, unemployment or are disadvantaged in some other way. It was explained to the Club that there is a commonly held misconception that everyone in St Andrews is comfortably off whereas the truth is very different: 25% of children live in poverty and some 280 primary school children receive free school meals. Also, given the age profile of the town, there are many now suffering from dementia, who require positive help to enhance their lives.

The Hub seeks through a variety of means to address these issues. They run a café for the provision of cheap food, provide a separate take-away service, and manage cookery classes to teach people how to cook simple meals. Outside, they take guided walks and organise therapeutic gardening. There are also craft groups, a Pop-up Post Office, a singing group and many other community services.

This marvellous organisation is always looking for volunteers to help and for others to become Life Members, for only £5. It also welcomes visitors, normally between 9.30am and 2pm - if their large banner is on display outside St David’s the Hub will be open to welcome you.

Stewart Kerr was warmly thanked on behalf of the Club by Dr Hamish Tait for his very interesting and valuable presentation.