Ashton charity hits the airwaves to highlight good work and unique cafe

Tameside Radio's very first outside broadcast this year came from Infinity Initiatives in Ashton last Saturday (15 January).

Andrew Richardson (pictured) and Kane Smith were at the charity to report live for the radio about the services the charity offers - and its unique ‘Pay what you can’ café.

Director and charity founder Gemma Whittaker shared the good work of the charity from their café in the centre of Ashton, plus explained more about the charity’s outreach work with people in the local community.

The centre can be found at 13-15 Wood Street, not far from the market and just around the corner from the old post office.

The café itself remains ‘Pay what you can’.

Gemma explained: “At our former café on Mossley Road we were just a ‘pay what you can cafe’ but our opening times were limited there.

“But moving here to the centre of Ashton we are keeping the three hours a day as ‘pay what you can’ but we now have extended hours when food and drink is available to buy, but it remains very cheap.”

Gemma added: “We just accept donations and nobody sees what is donated into the pot - what we care about is getting people through the door, especially if they need support.

“It is home from home here and we always have food on the go for those who need support and we are supported by local supermarkets and businesses.”

Infinity was established in 2015 to support those who fall through the net and can’t find the help they need.

Gemma explained that they work very closely with the likes of the Ashton-based charity ‘We Shall Overcome’, run by Pauline Town and helping the homeless, plus Greystones, which also supports the homeless.

Infinity Initiatives has continued to expand its remit of services over the years, providing counselling, migrant support and helping refugees plus those living in poverty.

The charity is also able to promote health and wellbeing through its highly successful Infinity Initiatives football team.

Gemma said the charity’s activities are once again becoming more popular and they will have to start taking bookings again to keep numbers limited and everyone safe, so encourages everyone to keep an eye on their website.

You can find out more about the charity and its services at https://infinityinitiatives.com/

Tameside Radio already has a busy calendar ahead for outside broadcasts, but if you would like to invite the team to help promote your charity or good cause, you can email ob@questmedianetwork.co.uk 

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