A NEW community centre will open its doors in Tavistock next week.

Based at Trident House in Taylor Square, the new facility is being run by local charity Make a Difference, and will be open on Mondays between 10.30am and 12.30pm and Fridays, between 2pm and 4pm, from April 12.

Make a Difference hopes that the new community centre will provide a much-needed, sociable meeting place.

Sandy Edney said: 'It's for anyone that may be lonely and struggling after a bereavement, perhaps they have suffered with agrophobia and need a safe place to go.

'Anyone who is finding life difficult, has had or continues to have mental health difficulties, and would like a familiar, friendly and social environment, is welcome.'

The new centre will have computers with internet access, there is an art room with different types of arts and crafts to do, and a games room with a dart board, snooker and pool table and a table tennis table.

The lounge area has a television with DVD and a Wii for those who are keen on computer fun and fitness.

Tea, coffee and cake will be on offer, in return for a small donation.

'There's also a small, quiet room, if people want to just go and have some one-to-one time, but really we want it very much to be a social place, where you can come and have a chat and meet people who are perhaps in the same boat,' said Sandy.

The centre is being opened thanks to a grant from Devon County Council and Devon Partnership Trust. Make a Difference intends to apply for more grant funding to keep it running in the future.

Sandy said: 'This has been years in the planning really — and I think Tavistock desperately needs somewhere like this.

'We are just open two days at a week to start with, but we would be delighted to open more, if we have the volunteers to run it.

'We are also hoping to have complementary therapies happening — we have several people who are willing to come in, in return for a donation.'

Make a Difference also has links to the local Service Users Recovery Forum (SURF).

Sandy said: 'We are hoping to work quite closely with them. They are going to show some of their photos at Trident House, so we will be able to have a permanent exhibition on display, which will be lovely.'

Anyone needing company and fed up with 'stewing in their own juice' is welcome to come along to Trident House on a Monday or Friday to find out what the new centre has to offer.

For more information, call Sandy Edney on 07766 768 048 or Jay on 07818 294 163.