AS a popular Oxford community-hub and cafe marked two years of serving local people, the group said it was looking ahead to expanding on its successful venture.

On Saturday Flo’s cafe and hub in Florence Park, Oxford, celebrated two years since it was first launched in the heart of the busy park.

Visitors were offered a slice of celebratory cake and the chance to take a socially distanced look around Flo’s innovative Nature Nursery.

Staff and visitors were also joined by Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds for the festivities.

Speaking at the event, chairman Richard Hadfield praised the turnout and said the community venture was planning on supporting a number of other enterprises.

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Among them, he said, was Syrian Sisters, a support network for refugee women who have recently arrived in Oxford.

Speaking of the hub’s work he said: “I am so proud of being part of the fantastic team at Flo’s and of what we have achieved. The feedback is fantastic and we have great plans to consolidate and move forward in the coming year.

“We’re thankful to our partners and also for recent grant and rate relief financial support. But there are challenges ahead and for example, we are talking to Oxfordshire County Council about reviewing their policy on rent and maintenance.

“More support, like this, would make a tremendous difference to our capacity to develop the family and community support offered by our pioneering project.”

During lockdown, Flo’s had to rapidly respond to changing community needs, quickly becoming a beacon of hope and support in East Oxford.

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The Nature Nursery stayed open, against the odds, to offer childcare for key workers and children at risk.

The newly formed in-house cafe also adapted and quickly set up the ‘OX4 Free Food’ partnership alongside ArkT, Waste2Taste and the Oxford Hub.

Together they cooked, and delivered to the doorstep, over 4,000 fresh, homemade lunches.

Those shielding, the elderly, single parents and the vulnerably-housed, were able to either self-refer or be referred to the service.

Meals are made largely using ingredients that are supplied by SOFEA or the Oxford Food Bank, also helping to lessen food waste.

Despite the enormous challenges, and financial pressures brought during lockdown, Flo’s also offered additional space so that the Isis Community Midwives could see more women in a safer environment.

The midwives’ work was even more vital than usual, given that GP clinics were closed and there was enormous additional pressure on the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Between April and August 2020, the midwives had, on average, 570 appointments per month (more than double their usual appointment capacity at Flo’s) in the expanded facilities.

Flo’s Refill Shop also stocks a wide range of packaging-free products from detergents to dry foods, nuts, fruits and spices. Staffed by volunteers of all ages, from 14 to 85, they stock 78 products and were especially busy during the lockdown period.

For further information on the community-owned hub visit www.flosoxford.org.uk