A CAFE that started out as a part-time hobby has grown into a huge community project that looks after countless customers and offers a range of activities.
Launching from the former space of Pennington's Tea Room in Pennington Hall Park, Caffeina Cafe opened as part of a wider community interest company, Commitea Spaces, in 2018.
Initially led entirely by volunteers, Commitea Spaces was launched by Shelley Guest who wanted to take the cafe forward after taking a step back from work as a primary school teacher and special needs leader following ill health.
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Shelley said: "Caffeina started off as a bit of a hobby where we only opened four days a week, but it's become a real community cafe now.
"We open seven days a week, with volunteers and full time staff, and really have a connection with our customers. Lots of them come in every single day and we know their names, their dog's names, and their orders.
"People are welcome to stay here all day, and a big thing we have is a 'pay it forward' message here. This is where people have paid for someone else's meal or we offer something for free, and all we ask in return is for them to pay that kindness forward."
Well known for its traditional, affordable meals and its welcoming atmosphere, those involved at Commitea Spaces have also helped to transform Pennington Hall Park by offering an outside cafe bar and a 'Grow Your Mind' community garden.
Growing produce that is used back at the cafe, the garden space is used by many social and vulnerable groups in the community, while there are further plans to refurbish the park's pavilion to offer group space for meetings, workshops, and activities.
With all of the cafe's profits reinvested into Pennington Hall Park, the location has also become one of the borough's 'Green Flag' parks, which recognises it as one of the best parks and green spaces across the UK.
Through her work as a local councillor on the Leigh East ward, Shelley said she hopes to bring the community focus of Commitea Spaces to all parks in Leigh and across the borough, while retaining what works at Caffeina.
Shelley added: "It's a fantastic place to be here, and it's amazing to have such a great relationship with customers - we even check in on those that we haven't seen in a while!
"I keep having bright ideas to make things even better at the cafe and in the park, so that's what we're working towards [...] and encourage this in other areas too."
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