A new community café which opened in Troon is already receiving rave reviews.

The Haven was launched by the care team at Mears Belhaven Day Care Centre in Academy Street at the beginning of this month, to cater for the older people using the day care centre and any members of the public.

The café is open for hot food from Tuesdays to Fridays, 10am to 4pm and Saturdays from 11am till 3pm. Already it’s getting great feedback on tasty meals, and great home baking.

Lynn Skedd, manager, is encouraging all visitors to contribute to their “memory thread” running around the walls. People are invited to post a selfie and a message about something important to them in the past, and comments about the new café.

Lynn has plans to run craft afternoons and home-baking lessons for local youngsters from the primary schools close by.

Lynn Skedd, day care manager says: “We plan to create as a Natter Chatter table to encourage people who come into the cafe who are on their own, to sit together and encourage chat – if they wish to. We know this is a great way to break down the barriers of loneliness which we all know is very challenging for the elderly. We also have plans to link in with local community groups for example Dementia friendly Troon and Villages, local engagement officers and social work teams to work together to get the most out of a facility that can really make a difference.

“Our company charity – Mears Foundation – provided a grant of £1,000 towards the purchase of furniture, and the care team took training in coffee making. We are very grateful to local builders merchants Jewsons and Colville Wright who donated all the building materials.”

Mears Housing team, who carry out repairs of social housing in Scotland, transformed the old office into this bright new Haven Café, carrying out the refurb of the café as part of their “social values” projects. The Day Care centre next door, provides a place for older people to meet and have a hot meal during the week.