Exciting year for community centre

The Beacon Community Centre’s weekly coffee morning and drop-in was transformed into an amazing Christmas party as everyone pulled out the stops to transform the centre with festive cheer.

Our good friend Dave Robertson generously donated bowls of Jelly Beans on tables along with Santa balloons, party food, selection boxes and Christmas crackers.

Rachel Sherring, our resident yoga instructor, brought homemade cake and Tesco gave us mince pies and bakewell tarts – thanks!

Maggie and Caroline’s glittery craft table was very popular and there were lots of children’s toys, play tents, train track and ride-on’s.

The party’s highlight was The Big Cracker Pull when everyone simultaneously pulled their Christmas crackers.

Our friends from Exeter Food Bank, who run a session at the same time as our drop-in, also joined in the fun and clients were warmly welcomed.

Every child went home with a chocolate selection box. This was the end to an exciting year for The Beacon, in Beacon Heath, which has been running for just over 18 months. Our growing number of volunteers contribute at least 45 hours a week offering huge expertise and effort.

During the year, we’ve also gained from partnerships with Isca Church, Tesco with Fareshare, Devon and Cornwall Housing, the city and county council, Exeter Food Bank, the Meet and Remember Trust, Business in the Community, Exeter Medical School, Active Exeter, Sainsbury’s and the police amongst others. We really excited about 2017!

We’re going to increase our activities for older people, host a jobs fair in the Spring and bring cinema to Beacon Heath.

On behalf of everyone at The Beacon we’d like to wish Exeter Daily readers a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

We’d also like to say a special thank you to The Daily’s chief executive Marc Astley and editor Mary Youlden for their amazing support. The Daily is a great place to showcase our work.