Lidl St Helens King St

Open Circle Community brings people together to reduce isolation and build stronger, healthier communities. Through peer-led support, shared activities and welcoming spaces, we help people reconnect—with themselves, with others and with hope. We are a welcoming hub for anyone seeking connection and support, with a particular heart for people in recovery from addiction and alcohol dependency. Recovery can be a lonely road, and so many people feel isolated—through their recovery journey, ill health, hardship, bereavement or simply the pace of modern life. Our mission is to bring people together, spark conversation and create opportunities for collaboration, turning strangers into neighbours and neighbours into friends. At the heart of what we do is peer-led support: the belief that people who have faced similar challenges can offer each other understanding, encouragement and practical help. Alongside this, we run shared activities and social sessions where people can drop in, feel welcome and belong—no referral, no pressure, just a warm space and a friendly face. Who we help: We work mainly with people in recovery from addiction and alcohol dependency, offering connection, community and a supportive network beyond formal treatment. But our doors are open to everyone—anyone who feels cut off or in need of a supportive community is welcome, whatever their story. What our sessions look like: Regular drop-ins and welcoming spaces to meet others, peer support where lived experience makes the difference, shared refreshments and meals that bring people around a table, and collaborative activities that build skills, confidence and friendships. How you can help: As a small, community-led organisation, we rely on the generosity of our neighbours and local partners to keep our doors open. The support we need most: • Surplus food—fresh produce, store-cupboard staples, drinks and refreshments to fuel our shared meals and drop-in sessions, so no one goes without and good food isn't wasted. • Volunteer help—friendly people to greet visitors, make a brew, help run activities or share a skill. • Practical donations—kitchen and hospitality supplies and everyday items that keep our spaces running. Every contribution—surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, a few hours of your time, or a helping hand—goes directly towards reducing isolation and supporting people to build healthier, more connected lives. If you share our belief that no one should feel alone, we'd love to work with you. Join us in making a real difference, one conversation, one meal and one connection at a time.

It all started with newspaper deliveries - our very first phone call came through a relative of a vulnerable resident asking for help getting their daily newspapers. And so we started in the run up to the very first lockdown - This very soon became a full newspaper round! With the help of our sponsors/partners we have: •local residents/pharmacies with prescription collection/delivery •Grocery shopping •TV collection, testing and distribution to care home - enabling the residents could watch the 75 year VE Day whilst in lockdown measures •Support local care home events •Woodland Trust path clearance •WODAC Food donations and volunteers for hamper preparation •Room at the Inn - food and clothing collections (Rucksack appeal) •The Verve - starter packs with easy to follow recipes •Fundraisers for; local schools’ PFAs, Cancer Research, Alzheimer’s Association, Blood Cancer UK, local care homes’ events •Litter picking •Supported victims of the local community during the floods •Defibrillator fundraisers for community 24/7 access defibrillators and cabinets •Community events - Mothers Day, DDay80 remembrance Ongoing support to the community: •Emergency supply packs, available 24/7 (referrals from Schools, Social Services, local GPs/Medical staff etc) •Supply packs - ongoing requests •Support with new homes (Domestic violence victims/New mums), this can be as simple as collecting items on behalf of families and/or a starter supply pack. •Advocacy •Birthday/Christmas gifts for families who otherwise could not afford •Veteran support - Food hampers, support in new home, social engagement support •Community events; Mothers Day afternoon tea, Remembrance anniversaries, Remembrance Sunday refreshments •Each year we team up with our local Residents Association at Christmas to provide a 3 course meal with entertainment for the lonely and vulnerable •Flower donation and volunteer time for our ‘Friends of St Mary’s’ volunteer group - who lovingly maintain our local graveyard, where numerous soldiers are laid to rest •Save surplus food - families in need are offered first then any surplus is promptly offered to the local community to avoid waste •We also distribute surplus food to local animal rescues/Sanctuaries - apparently the chickens love overripe bananas! All our key volunteers have Food Hygiene and are DBS checked. We have first aid (including doggie first aid and mental first aid trained volunteers. To see our upcoming events, please visit our Facebook page Our future plans? Well we are always actively engaging with local authorities/services/community to identify any gaps where we can support! We operate at various locations within the Penketh community - new base announcement coming soon! ALL our team are dedicated VOLUNTEERS, who put their time and commitment into the community. We are registered with Warrington Voluntary Action and have social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We are a Local Food Pantry for the Haydock and Blackbrook communities. Come along and become a member to reduce your weekly shopping bills, build up the community and help to reduce food waste. For a weekly membership fee of £5 you can have a cuppa in our community café and leave with 10 items from the shelves totaling between £15-£25 value plus some lovley freebies. This is part of T.A.N.G.O. community project (together as neighbours giving out) which runs from ST Mark’s Church Haydock. Whilst you're with us you may like to check out our furniture project and second-hand shop, the amazing space provided by our community garden and the great range of community groups that also meet in our centre, church and warehouse to build up our community and support each other including Brew and renew, a place where its OK not to be ok.