The grants and contributions helping us create a place of welcome, practical support and hope at the Hughenden Centre.
We are grateful to the trusts, foundations and local organisations that have invested in Weston Ark. Explore the support below to see what each contribution was for, with photographs and updates from our news archive.
Asda Foundation
Helping launch the Ark Café Warm Space
Support for café equipment, hot drink supplies and the first steps towards a welcoming Warm Space.
Better Together grant
£600
What the support means
Weston Ark received a £600 Better Together grant from the Asda Foundation following a nomination from Weston-super-Mare Foodbank. The grant supported preparations for Ark Café at the Hughenden Centre.
The funding was intended for small café equipment, supplies for serving hot drinks, a warm and welcoming environment, and initial opening costs through the colder months. The aim was a place where people could pause, talk and feel welcome without needing to spend money.
We are grateful to Asda Foundation, the local Asda store and Community Champion, and Foodbank for helping this part of the café’s story take shape.
Funding to help the café move from preparation towards a welcoming space for the community.
Express Grant
£2,350
What the support means
Quartet Community Foundation awarded Weston Ark an Express Grant of £2,350 to help equip and run Ark Café. We shared the award in our October to November 2025 Prayer & Praise update.
The grant supported the practical work of developing the café as a welcoming space at the Hughenden Centre. It came during a period of preparation, volunteer training and growing community partnerships.
We are thankful for this investment in a place where people can find a warm welcome and connection.
Volunteers at the café counter in January 2026, showing the café in use after its launch. Photograph by Tyler.
Benefact Trust
Improving the centre’s toilet facilities
A contribution towards facilities that support a more welcoming and dignified experience at the centre.
Toilet refurbishment grant
£4,000
What the support means
Benefact Trust awarded Weston Ark £4,000 specifically towards refurbishing the toilet facilities at the Hughenden Centre. The award was announced in our December 2025 update.
Our January 2026 article shared photographs of the work underway. The improvements were intended to make the building more welcoming and support the needs and dignity of the people using it.
We thanked Benefact Trust again in our February to April 2026 update as practical improvements continued across the centre.
The beach hut wall was finished in March 2026, following the refurbishment work.
The finished beach hut wall around the toilet entrances, photographed in March 2026.
Screwfix Foundation
A first step towards improving the outdoor space
Funding towards the first stage of a wider vision for the Hughenden Centre’s outdoor area.
Outdoor improvements grant
£5,000
What the support means
Weston Ark received a £5,000 grant from the Screwfix Foundation towards outdoor improvement works at the Hughenden Centre. We announced this in our February to April 2026 update.
The grant provides a starting point for a wider outdoor vision. Our May to July 2026 article described plans for a more welcoming and accessible area that could support café life, children, families and community activities.
In that update, trustees were still considering the best first steps and how to use the grant wisely. The image shows Charlie and Tim Doolan’s concept plan for the wider community garden vision. It is a proposal, and the grant does not fund the whole scheme.
The wider community garden concept, shared in July 2026. The plan shows the vision for the space, rather than completed work.View full-size image in a new tab
Weston-super-Mare Town Council
Making Ark Café easier to find
Financial support towards wayfinding feather flags that welcome visitors to the centre.
Support for café signage
£500
What the support means
Weston-super-Mare Town Council provided £500 towards wayfinding feather flags for Ark Café. Our January 2026 update reported that the flags had been delivered and were ready to use at the entrance.
The flags help visitors find the Hughenden Centre and make it clear when the café is open. For someone arriving for the first time, a visible welcome can make coming through the door feel easier.
We are grateful for the Town Council’s practical contribution towards making the café more visible and accessible to the community.
