Coalville's Marlene Reid Centre has launched the Feelgood Cafe - which takes place every Tuesday at its Belvoir Road building.

The cafe is open to anyone in the Coalville community and provides activities between 10am-2pm.

Paul Fagan, General Manager at MRC, told Coalville Nub News that it is an inclusive activities cafe which is all about diversity.

He added: "We're inviting people to come in and enjoy the fun every Tuesday."

Paul says the initiative is being backed by Coalville-based company Kocher & Beck who approached MRC to be part of what they are doing.

He said: "They approached us to work with us in general, and felt the Feelgood Cafe would be a really good fit for what they want to offer.

"As an employer, they're really passionate about diversity and it fits the ethos of both them and MRC.

"They're really committed in terms of developing their workforce, and that's a really good model for them to be following.

"For us as a local charity, the chance to work with local companies is something really important and helps us to effectively supercharge what we're offering and have more of an impact."

Coalville charity Enrych are also involved in the Feelgood Cafe.

Paul added: "Enrych are a long standing partner of ours.

"We have a history of delivering events with Enrych and we feel it's a good way to make use of a bright, airy space.

"It doubles the opportunity for us to promote the cafe through working with Enrych and Kocher & Beck.

"The launch event had about 40 guests and that's only going to grow from now on.

"With that growth will come more diverse offerings. This week was all about bingo but there will be a wide range of activities on offer.

"It may be arts based or something else creative - the world's our oyster really in what we can do.

"But we have lots going on down here."

The cafe is being launched at a time when people may need it most - amid the cost of living crisis.

Paul added: "We're still getting over the pandemic, people are just getting used to coming out.

"An inclusive space like the Feelgood Cafe supports people making those steps back into the community."

Janet Frearson, from the Stephenson Industrial Estate-based Kocher & Beck said: "We choose a charity every year and we wanted somewhere local and independent where we could raise funds throughout the year.

"We're very conscious of mental health and Paul invited us down to take a look at this project which is being welcomed back to the MRC.

"So we felt we could help with this and we'll also come along and be part of it.

"We want to show our faces and join in.

"But we've been amazed how this place has changed, the interaction that goes on is tremendous. Paul is so passionate about this place."

The Marlene Reid Centre in Belvoir Road, Coalville. Photo: Coalville Nub News

Liz Rickaby, Enrych Chief Executive, added: "This is a safe space for people who can come along and be welcomed.

"They can meet other people who are in the same situation as well.

"It's about social interaction, people love it because they feel safe.

"If you look around then there's not one person on their own.

"Something like this can only help."