Would you like to help run a community café for two hours a month or more often if you choose? Radstock Museum is looking for volunteers to help make teas and coffees and chat to café attendees in the lovely Museum Tearoom.

Somerset Coalfield Life at Radstock Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Anne-Katell Peton (pictured) as the Museum’s new Community Engagement Manager. Anne-Katell will be relaunching the Community Cafés from November 2022.

Jos Bins, Museum Treasurer said: “Before Covid, the Museum used to run Community Cafés for various groups who benefitted from the opportunity to meet together in the Museum surroundings. Thanks to funding from St John’s Foundation, we have recruited a new part-time member of staff who will be responsible for restarting these cafés.”

Anne-Katell has a great deal of experience with other community groups in the area working with all the relevant agencies across our locality. She said: “I am delighted to announce that we are relaunching the Museum’s community cafés and we need your invaluable support and time to run them successfully. We are planning to restart some of them in November and in time to include all the following:

- A community café for former coal miners and friends.

- A café focusing on local history, peoples’ stories, and home treasures.

- A memory café with activities based on reminiscence and brain power.

- A well-being cafe with mindfulness activities and a positive twist.

“As a volunteer for one of these groups, you will be a key part of the team. Your tasks will include welcoming members, chatting to people, making teas and coffees, and of course eating biscuits!”

The cafés will be running on Monday mornings and afternoons, and Tuesday mornings for a couple of hours. Some will be monthly, others every other week and some are likely to be weekly.

If you would like to volunteer for one of these groups, even if it’s just once a month, or would like more information please contact Anne-Katell at: [email protected]

If you are interested in attending one of the cafés or used to attend the cafés before Covid, you will be warmly welcomed.

The cafés will be free to attend, including refreshments, although a small donation would be greatly appreciated.

More details will be published: www.radstockmuseum.co.uk in the coming weeks and on the Museum’s Facebook page.

Alternatively, you can contact Anne-Katell at: [email protected]