Thrive in Norfolk: A Rural Warm Welcome Rooted in Community

In rural Norfolk, the Thrive community cafe has become a vital Warm Welcome space for its local community.

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Founded by Heidi and a team of volunteers, the initiative began as a food hub, The Pantry in Kenninghall, which now supports around 250 families each week. Wanting to offer more than food support, Heidi introduced a more wraparound approach, creating Thrive as a space where people can come together, access support, and feel part of something.

Set within a nature reserve, the space welcomes a wide range of visitors, from local residents to people passing by on dog walks or bike rides. The cafe is dog friendly and offers a relaxed, open environment in an area where transport can be a challenge. With only one bus arriving each day at 7.30am, Heidi has connected with a community bus company to help ensure people can still attend. 

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Excitingly, by the start of May 2026, the community cafe and food hub will be based in a shared building, where the community cafe and food hub work side by side to provide that support in one place. 

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The Warm Welcome offer runs every Tuesday, with many people relying on it each week. A hot lunch is available for £1, alongside access to WiFi, a laptop and printer, and a range of activities. During one visit, a ‘Ready Steady Cook’ session brought people together in a friendly competition, with teams preparing dishes including a vegetable burger. One participant shared that it was something they could now make for a vegetarian guest at home.

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The cafe also hosts children’s workshops during school holidays, cookery classes, and community events, including celebrations such as birthday parties. It is also a place of opportunity for young people. They have young volunteers who are completing their Duke of Edinburgh. Two students from a local special needs school attend for work experience, helping in the cafe and supporting the food hub. For one young person with autism, the routine and repetitive tasks provide a sense of calm.

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Heidi’s work began during the pandemic, delivering food parcels to neighbours and local residents, where high levels of rural poverty quickly became clear. Since then, the support on offer has continued to grow. Monthly surgeries are held for local MP Terry Jermy, and the space is used for activities such as yoga sessions and community events.

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Through The Pantry, Thrive is part of Nourishing Norfolk, a network of 26 affordable food hubs. These hubs provide access to lower-cost food in a supermarket-style setting, which is especially important in rural areas where the nearest shop may be miles away. The Pantry offers bread through a long-standing partnership with Warburtons, alongside fruit, vegetables, and other essentials supported by local suppliers.

Partnerships help strengthen the support available. Thrive works with In Kind Direct to provide items such as LEGO and toiletries, and funding from Cash for Kids has supported the provision of Christmas presents for children. As part of a pilot with Feeding Britain, the space also offers Wonderbags, non-electric slow cookers that allow families to prepare hot meals in a cost-effective way.

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The impact of the space is reflected in the people who use it. Many older residents, including those who have moved to the area to be closer to family, have built new friendships through the cafe. One group includes two women who first met as neighbours and have now been friends for 60 years. Pat, aged 98, who attends every week with her daughter and her best friend. They come to spend time together, take part in activities, and, in their words, “get out of the house.” Reflecting on their happy times spent at the space, they said: “Oh the laughter we had!”

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Thrive shows how a Warm Welcome space can grow with its community, offering not just warmth, but connection, support, and a strong sense of belonging.

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