Community Fridays

Community Fridays are back at The Old School House on Friday 2 October, from 3pm to 5pm. It's one half of 'Community Mondays and Fridays', a pair of weekly gatherings run by the Bournemouth Education Arts Foundation (BEAF) at the venue, which most people just call TOSH.

The sessions started out backed by Warm Welcome Spaces in 2023 and have grown into a regular fixture of positivity, support and creativity in an inclusive, welcoming space. It's the kind of place where neighbours meet new friends, sit quietly and relax, or get stuck into arts and gardening. The afternoon follows a loose shape: hellos and welcomes from 3pm, creative workshops led by Claire from 3.15pm to 5pm, and a homecooked meal at the Social Canteen to finish, with a vegetarian option and free hot drinks.

TOSH itself is a non-profit heritage building run by The Old School House Company, a registered charity. It's got step-free access, onsite parking and kitchen facilities, and it hosts more than just the weekly gatherings: there are Seeking Refuge workshops for people seeking asylum and refugees, and the 'Second Chances' art project for people affected by the criminal justice system.

If you're around Boscombe on a Friday afternoon, it's an easy one to drop into. The Old School House is on Gladstone Mews, off Gladstone Road, Bournemouth BH7 6BG. It's free to attend, and the whole thing runs from 3pm to 5pm.