Yarra Centre manager Scott Gamble and Whistle Stop co-ordinator Jenny Hoskins have issued the invitation — stop in for a coffee!– Kath Gannaway
IT’S full steam ahead at the Yarra Centre in Yarra Junction as the Whistle Stop Cafe gets ready to open on Thursday.
The community cafe will provide patrons of the Yarra Centre’s sporting and gym facilities and the aquatic centre with a place to enjoy a snack and a chat.
But in particular, it has been revamped to provide a special meeting place for people experiencing loss of memory.
Jenny Hoskins is co-ordinator of the cafe, which is a joint project between Eastern Access Community Health, the Upper Yarra Community House and the YMCA, which runs the centre.
Ms Hoskins has been working with the staff of the Yarra Centre and a team of volunteers to get the Whistle Stop on track for its expanded community role.
A range of creative programs, classes and activities aimed at keeping people physically and mentally active and connected to the community will be part of the project.
Ms Hoskins said research endorses activity and connectedness as the best ways for people experiencing what she calls “senior moments” to maintain and improve their health and well being.
Yarra Centre manager Scott Gamble said the YMCA and his staff are fully behind the concept.
It was an opportunity, Mr Gamble said, to attract people who don’t use the centre at the moment.
“We want to add that social aspect to the centre as well and that’s about good coffee and good food, friendly people and creating a great atmosphere.”
Ms Hoskins and Mr Gamble agree the centre will be a great place to meet friends, or make friends through the broad range of activities held at the centre, or just stopping by for a coffee and a chat.
The Whistle Stop Cafe will be officially opened by McEwen MP and Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey between 1.30pm and 3.30pm on Thursday, 7 June.
