New drop-pin centre now open to public
Nicola Findlay A new community cafe and drop-in centre aimed at i mprov i n g t h e e mot i o n a l , physical and spiritual wellb e i n g o f f a mi l i e s o p e n e d its doors in the town centre recently.
The Aga p e Caf e a nd Wel l b e i ng Centre is a registered charity and is situated in the Olympia Mall.
I t i s t he b r a i nc hi l d o f t wo f ul l y qualified and registered public health nurses, Heather Malloch and Maureen Hemple, who have worked i n East Kilbride for several years.
The centre offers a drop-in service for families with children under five to offer advice, information and support on a range of child-care issues, parenting support and lifestyle programmes as well as spiritual support.
The women feel it is important to have facilities within the town centre which the local community can access, where they can make new friendships, access new opportunities, learn new skills and get health-related advice.
Maureen told the News: “The Agape Café and Wellbeing Centre aims to supplement the work of the Health Board i n health promotion, t aking a preventative role, particularly i n relation to early years interventions.
“We also want to help people make i ndependent c hoi c e s s o t he y c a n support themselves and their families and make positive lifestyle choices.
“We plan to achieve this by providing an all-inclusive community café and drop- i n heal t h s e r v i c e which wil l provide a holistic approach through health advice, support, practical input and spiritual care.
“We provide access for parents to health/parenting advice and support from qualified health staff.”
The centre also offers parenting classes, life skills packages and baby massage t o i ncrease parents’ self confidence and enhance t heir children’s experiences.
And t he centre will al s o work i n collaboration with Breast Screening Awareness, Dementia Support and will offer stress relief sessions through head, neck, back and hand massage.
Maureen added: “We have had a steady stream of people of all ages access our service since we opened and have received very positive feedback and support for what is being done through this project.”
The centre is open on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am until 4pm.