A COMMUNITY project offering a lifeline to those in need has celebrated its second birthday with a welcome cash boost.

In late 2022, Knutsford Together was launched helping to signpost residents in need, whether in a crisis or simply feeling lonely, with people who can help.

The project runs a successful Talking Café each week at King Street's Café on the Corner, allowing people to meet, make new friends, and discuss any issues troubling them.

And, after receiving a £1,500 grant from Knutsford Town Council, Knutsford Together is planning to expand the Talking Café,

“We were thrilled to be awarded this grant," said Nicola Marshall, Knutsford Together’s chief officer.

"We applied for funding to help us to expand our very successful Talking Café, which we hold every week at Café on the Corner.

"It’s an opportunity for people to meet in a high street cafe, make new friends and chat with me and my colleague Sarah Evans to get advice on a wide range of issues that might be troubling them, from poverty to loneliness.

"The Talking Café is a vital meeting point for people in need and it is fantastic that the Town Council recognises its importance to the community by awarding this grant."

David Briggs, the former Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire and founder of Knutsford Together, said: "When I set up Knutsford Together, my objective was to use my vast experience as Lord Lieutenant to benefit my local community to address some of the major issues facing us: social isolation, loneliness, financial need and inequality.

"It is a thrill to see that Knutsford Together is making a real difference to people’s lives and that the Talking Café has become the success we envisaged.

Knutsford mayor Cllr Colin Banks attended the Talking Café on Tuesday to join in the anniversary celebrations.

He said: "I saw first-hand the benefit of a coffee and a chat when it comes to helping people with a wide variety of needs.

"I’m delighted the town council has been able to support this initiative."

Sarah Flannery, one of the charity’s trustees, added: "In two years, it is wonderful to see that Knutsford Together has changed many lives and helped to create a connected community.

"This grant will enable us to put the Talking Café on a sustainable footing and we look forward to helping many more people in the coming months.

"We are also grateful to Ali and all his staff at Café on the Corner for giving us the space to run the Talking Cafe."

The Talking Café runs every Tuesday from 10am to noon at Café on the Corner, at the junction of King Street and Minshull Street.