THE recently opened Hands Together Ludlow community hub will be the base for a range of projects when it gets into full swing during 2023.

It will also be open as somewhere warm for people to go this winter if they are unable to afford to heat their homes.

The building will also be used for a digital hub where people can go online to shop and also a place from which they can apply for jobs. Hands Together has also helped provide tuition for people who are not internet savvy and need help.

There are also conference facilities and offices for staff at Hands Together.

Hands Together says that it marks a new phase in the life of the charity that was formed several years ago and came into its own during the Covid-19 pandemic when it provided deliveries of food and other things for people that were having to self-isolate.

There are also plans to further extend activities, using other buildings in the town.

It is also hoped that with a more prominent HQ building, more people will feel encouraged to find out what is available and also to put themselves forward as volunteers.

Volunteering is not only a good way of helping others but can also be a way of making friends and dealing with isolation. It can also be a valuable way of gaining experience and learning new skills. This can help in getting a job by enhancing a CV.

Hands Together also hope that being higher profile will open new opportunities to develop partnerships with other organisations to the benefit of the town.

Bringing the building back to life was a community effort that included the skills of members of the Ludlow Men’s Shed as well as the Community Payback Scheme.

In this way the overall cost to the charity was just £1,500 leaving as much money as possible available to plough back into services to the town.

The building was opened in November by Selina Graham, High Sheriff of Shropshire. There was also open house so that people could come throughout the day and see what is on offer and how they can get involved.