News / Barton House
Crowdfunder launched to ‘give back’ to lifeline cafe
A cafe which has become a lifeline for evacuated Barton House residents could soon be treated to a new cooker as a ‘thank you’ for its work.
The doors of Cafe Conscious in Barton Hill were flung open by Deniece Dixon after hundreds of people were displaced from their home in the emergency evacuation of Barton House on November 14.
Located on Avonvale Road, just a stone’s throw from Barton House, the cafe has now become a hub for the community, with Deniece and a team of volunteers working around the clock to provide support, information, essential supplies, hot meals, drinks and a safe space for those affected.
is needed now More than ever
Now, a fundraiser has been launched by housing union, Acorn, to thank Deniece and her team by buying them new kitchen equipment.
The fundraiser will help Deniece buy a new cooker for her cafe, and has already raised over £1,000, meaning the cafe could also buy a new fridge, which is currently broken.
The cafe was also forced to closed recently after its front door was smashed into in an act of vandalism.
Deniece, who is a mum of six and has a child with autism, also works for Autism Independence, who have been in the cafe providing much-needed support for parents and children with autism since the evacuation.
Deniece spoke to Bristol24/7, back in November, when she thanked the local community for their support while they focus on emergency support for Barton House residents.
“I feel that even though something like this happens, we do pull together,” she said.
“Everybody does hits the ground and helps. I don’t want any of the politics that’s going to distract from what we’ve created here because it’s really lovely.”
On Monday, Bristol City Council informed residents of Barton House that they would be able to move back into Barton House, but not until next year.
With no specific date confirmed, Deniece and her team will continue to support residents over the Christmas period and the new year.
The Cafe Conscious Facebook page is updated daily with items needed so Deniece is asking people to check there before bringing items in.
A crowdfunder to raise funds to provide essentials and support for the residents of Barton House has raised more than £11,500.
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
Read next:
- Council unable to confirm when Barton House residents can return home
- ‘Overwhelming’ community response to Barton House crisis
- Barton House residents: ‘We are a strong and united community’
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