Sedgemoor Community Connector was formed in August 2025, but the directors behind it have been rooted in the Bridgwater community for much longer.
Before launching the CIC, I had worked as the Community Development Officer for the local council for three years. Lisa had previously worked in a local mental health service supporting men, and Lesley had built a strong reputation locally for her work around reducing waste, food education and supporting those in need.
Collectively, we also bring lived experience of many of the challenges we see in our community — childhood poverty and neglect, domestic violence, mental health struggles, providing unpaid care for loved ones, family bereavement and supporting those fleeing violence. Between the three of us, we all wear at least one of those badges.
Sedgemoor Community Connector was created out of a recognised need in our town and a shared passion to create more opportunities, build equality and empower people to expect better things for themselves and their families.
Since launching, we have worked across Bridgwater delivering community drop-ins, peer-led group sessions and practical support for anyone who comes through our door. Where some may see struggle or hopelessness, we see resilience, strength and curiosity. Our role is simply to create spaces where people can come together, support one another and grow stronger as a community.
Over the winter months alone we have provided more than 300 hot meals, distributed over 50 warm bags, and served what sometimes feels like a million cups of tea. Along the way we have laughed, cried and celebrated small wins together with our community, sharing the ups and downs of everyday life.
Over the past six months we have also worked alongside a wide range of brilliant partners including SASP, Bridgwater Town Council, Abri Housing, LiveWest, Homes in Somerset, Village Agents, NHS Somerset and Public Health to help bring support directly into communities in places that feel welcoming and accessible.
From the beginning, our long-term vision was to open a community hub in the centre of Bridgwater — something we originally expected might happen around 2027. However, in January this year a wonderful and unexpected opportunity came our way that suddenly made this vision feel much closer.
Thanks to the generosity and belief of a local donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, we are now in a position to begin turning that dream into a reality.
We are incredibly excited to say that our hub, Bridgwater Community Hub, will soon have a home in the centre of Bridgwater — and now the real work begins.
Over the years we have learned that our community needs a space that is welcoming, warm and accessible. A place where people can find affordable food and drink, somewhere to sit and chat with others, with free access to the internet, books to read, activities to take part in, and where someone is always around to offer a helping hand when life feels a little overwhelming.
Our vision is to create an affordable “pay it forward” café, alongside an area focused on reuse and recycling where people can browse affordable preloved items. There will be a comfortable community space where people can meet, chat, seek advice, or use a shared computer to access the internet.
We already facilitate group work with members of the general community, neurodivergent adults and families, and the hub will allow us to bring this work together into one welcoming space that is central and accessible to everyone.
We believe that strong communities are built in simple everyday moments — over a cup of tea, a shared meal, a friendly conversation, or someone taking the time to listen when life feels difficult. Bridgwater Community Hub will be a place where those moments can happen every day, creating a space where people feel welcome, supported and part of something bigger than themselves.
Right now, what we have is an empty shell and a very limited budget.
What we need is help to transform the space into somewhere that truly works for the community.
To get the hub ready to open by early summer, we are appealing for support from local businesses and members of our community.
A functioning kitchen
Kitchen equipment
Five dining tables and chairs
Clothes rails for our preloved section
Shelving
A comfortable sofa for the community seating area
If you would like to help us bring Bridgwater Community Hub to life, you can support our project by donating through our fundraising page here:
[Insert GoFundMe link]
We are also incredibly grateful for donations of equipment, furniture or materials that could help us transform the space.
If you would prefer to donate directly, you can also support the project here:
[Insert SumUp donation link]
Together we can create a welcoming space in the heart of Bridgwater where everyone feels they belong.
At Sedgemoor Community Connector CIC, we’re passionate about helping local residents gain the confidence to cook smarter, reduce household energy use, and save money — all while enjoying good food and company.
The Energy Efficiency Cooking Project is a six-week community course designed to help people make small, sustainable changes that make a big difference at home. Delivered in partnership with Abri and Bridgwater Town Council, the sessions combine practical cooking with energy-saving tips and shared learning.
Each week, participants prepare a simple meal together while exploring ways to cook more efficiently — comparing the running costs of different appliances, sharing thrifty recipes, and learning how to reduce food waste.
Those who attend all six sessions receive a free energy-efficient cooking appliance to take home, supporting them to continue saving energy and money long after the course ends.
The project runs at community hubs across Bridgwater, with sessions held during the winter months in Hamp and Parkway.
Interested in taking part?
Email us – info@sedgemoorconnector.org to find out about upcoming courses or to register your interest for future sessions.
This winter, we’re celebrating creativity, community and sustainability with our Thrifty Christmas project – a series of free festive sessions taking place across Bridgwater.
The idea behind Thrifty Christmas is simple: to help local people save money, reduce waste and reconnect with each other through practical, hands-on activities. Each session focuses on doing more with less – reusing, repairing, and finding joy in simple, affordable ways to celebrate the season.
Across three events, residents are invited to join us for:
Community Swap Shops – share or swap clean, reusable items such as coats, books and gifts, and take home something new-to-you.
Upcycling and Craft Sessions – learn how to make beautiful festive decorations from recycled materials, including folded-book Christmas trees and jar lanterns.
Energy Saving and Home Hacks – discover low-cost ways to keep warm and cut bills this winter, and explore the Eco Centre’s free E-Save App, helping households make small, sustainable changes that save money and energy.
Thrifty Christmas Cooking – create low-cost, low-waste festive meals that make the most of what you have.
Why It MattersThrifty Christmas is about community connection and resilience – bringing people together to share ideas, reduce pressure on household budgets, and enjoy a greener Christmas. It builds confidence, creativity and belonging, showing that sustainability isn’t about doing without – it’s about doing things differently, together.
Our Connect sessions offer a warm, welcoming space for anyone who’d like some company, conversation, or a bit of friendly advice. You can join in with activities like knitting, crochet, dominoes, or colouring — or just relax with a cuppa and biscuits. Each week we also invite local organisations to pop in and share information or support on different topics.
Whether you’re coming along to meet new people, learn something new, or simply take a break from the day-to-day, you’ll find a friendly face and a listening ear at every Connect group.
Where to find us:
☕ Connect: Hamp – Tuesdays, 10am–12pm at The Recreation Community Hub
🍪 Connect: Parkway – Fridays, 10am–12pm at The Rollercoaster Community Centre
Our Connect: Neuro Adults Social Group is a safe, understanding space for neurodivergent adults to meet others. Whether you’re autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, or identify in another way, you’ll find a friendly, relaxed environment where you can be yourself without judgement.
Each session is shaped by the people who come along — some weeks we simply chat over tea and biscuits, and other times we explore topics like routines, overwhelm, and self-care. The group is still growing, and we’d love to hear your ideas about what you’d like it to become.
You’re also welcome to bring a friend, family member, or support person if that helps you feel more comfortable.
When and where: We will be relaunching this project in late February – more details to follow.
