A community café that has become the beating heart of Holme Wood is bringing neighbours together and giving many residents a reason to leave the house.
Holme in the Wood Café and Community Centre opened on Broadstone Way in March 2025, the parade’s first new business in a decade.
Since then, it has grown into far more than a place to grab a coffee.
At the centre of it all is owner and Holme Wood resident Ursula Sutcliffe, whom regulars describe as having a "heart of gold".
The idea for the café came after Ursula recognised the estate lacked an open space where people could simply walk in, meet others and feel welcome.
The Holme in the Wood community (Image: T&A)
She said: "When you take community spaces away, communities disappear.
"So what we said, well, let's just get the doors open, let's offer a decent cup of coffee and just see what can happen."
'Nothing but positive things came from it'
The results, she says, have exceeded expectations.
Ursula said anti-social behaviour on the square reduced after the café opened, while residents who had previously been isolated began joining activities and spending time with others.
"Nothing but positive things came from it," she said.
The café serves Holme Wood's 11,000 residents and has become a daily meeting place for people of all ages.
Ursula Sutcliffe (Image: T&A)
"The things that woman has done for this estate is brilliant," said café regular Mary Brown.
"If I knew how to put her up for one of them Pride of Britain things I would because I think she deserves it.
"She really does look out for everybody.
"She’s got a good sense of humour, she’s got a heart of gold and no matter who you are she makes you feel welcome in her café."
Café is a 'home from home'
For Mary, who has lived on the estate for around 30 years, the café has filled a long-standing gap in the community.
"This café means a lot to me.
"I've lived on this estate about 30 years and it's only place where you can come in to relax," she said.
Other regulars call the venue a "home from home", where friendships have grown and loneliness has eased.
Bingo afternoon at Holme in the Wood (Image: T&A)
The venue hosts monthly markets, children’s acting classes, baby groups, art sessions and bingo afternoons.
Housing provider Incommunities also runs twice-weekly sessions at the café, giving residents direct access to neighbourhood wardens.
Opportunities for local people prioritised
The café’s impact goes beyond its events programme.
Jess Tordoff, who works at the café, said it has become a place where people help each other without expecting anything back.
"The way I see it is we're a community that likes to give back," she said.
"It’s done a lot for a lot of people's mental health."
Bingo afternoon at Holme in the Wood (Image: T&A)
Ursula is also determined to create opportunities for local people.
"My biggest thing was always that anybody that would be hired here would be people from Holme Wood," she said.
Despite the praise, Ursula is quick to share the credit with the people who walk through the doors every day.
"It’s beautiful, it’s really nice to hear, but they have to come through the door for that to happen," she said.
"They don't just come through the door once, they come through the door every single day and if I’ve got a problem, they’re here.
"So it’s a two-way street. I wanted to open something for them, but I’ve ended up with a lot more in return."
Support is welcomed
Looking ahead, she hopes funding can be secured to keep activities running and expand what the venue can offer.
Ursula Sutcliffe (Image: T&A)
The café now draws hundreds to community events - something Ursula says would have been unthinkable a few years ago.
"We’re getting 200 to 250 people in the square every event," she said.
"That has gone from people on here with motorbikes and machetes at one point. Now it's 250 residents from Holme Wood having a party.
"That is just the will of the community."
Any support, financial or practical, would be welcomed.
"What we really need is financial (support), or on event days anybody can give us a hand to make the events bigger and better," Ursula said.
"So if anybody can help us with anything like that, get in touch, come down for a free brew and we'll talk it through."