HARWICH has been handed more than £100,000 for a massive expansion of a popular community hub.

Harwich and Dovercourt Wellbeing Lounge, in Esplanade Hall, has been handed the cash to expand services as part of County Hall’s levelling-up initiative.

The cash is part of Essex County Council’s Everyone’s Essex strategy and was announced on Friday at its Levelling Up launch event at Harwich International Port.

Louise McKinlay, deputy leader at Essex County Council, said: “Building strong communities and encouraging pride of place are central to achieving our aims for levelling up the county.

“The Dovercourt and Harwich Community Hub meets so many of our target objectives, working hard to improve the health and wellbeing of the community, with physical activities available alongside mental health support.

“This new funding will help secure and improve that support even further so it can continue to attract more families to the hub, from parents with babies to residents in their 90s.”

The wellbeing lounge has become a valued resource since it was set up by Harwich’s churches in November 2021, providing a shared space for people who were particularly isolated or vulnerable The new funding will secure the rental space for three years, allow for improvements to enhance access and use of the space and increase opening hours from just four hours, one day a week, to daily opening Monday to Friday.

Dovercourt and Harwich Community Hub focuses on encouraging health and wellbeing, with shared activities, a reading corner, crafting/hobby area and a place where people can come together.

It has an extended outside space, where people can sit and either just meet and socialise or get involved in outdoor games.

Mark Tubby, project lead and community worker for Dovercourt Central Church, said: “This is great news for the Harwich and Dovercourt area, this additional funding will help us facilitate the development of the wellbeing space and to incorporate more groups and services to ensure the community will have the opportunities and support they deserve.

“We know many are suffering at this difficult time but what is wonderful to see is the way our holistic approach to building community is giving people the chance to give back.

“This money will provide much more opportunity for this and mean the local community is enhanced. We are looking to compliment what is already going on in the town and not replace it.

“It’s very much about partnership for us and I am excited for the future.”

Lynda McWilliams, Tendring councillor responsible for partnerships, added: “This hub has been developed by the community, for the community, meaning it truly is helping people with the issues that they face.

“Extending its operations will not only support the individuals who use it, but with its fantastic cross-generational and multi-faceted work also grow the already strong community spirit in Harwich.”