A new early years café is being launched at a town church with the aim of helping to break down barriers, combat isolation and support families.

The new Cornerstone Nurture Café will open in the new year at South Lynn’s Cornerstone Baptist Church, offering a listening ear and a welcoming drop-in where people can get help and support or just have a chat.

The new venture will launch on Tuesday, January 13 and be open on Tuesdays from 8.45-11.15am as a place where people can “pause, connect and feel supported”.

It is aimed at those who are pregnant, parents, carers and those preparing to welcome a newborn into their lives. It will be a “judgement-free space, whether you are thriving, exhausted, full of questions or just need to see a friendly face”, the church has said.

Cornerstone pastor, the Reverend June Love, said: “We’re launching the Nurture Café because becoming a parent can be far more isolating than people expect.

“For some, waiting lists are long, appointments are hard to come by, and clinical waiting rooms can feel overwhelming – especially when you’re tired, anxious, or already juggling having a baby or toddler.

“We wanted to create a safe, neutral space where people can simply drop in, feel at ease, and take a breath.

“The café isn’t just for people who need advice or support – it’s also for anyone who would enjoy a cup of tea, a proper chat, and some adult conversation with others who are in the same stage of life.

“Whether someone is looking for practical help, a listening ear or just friendly company, they are welcome.

“Our hope is that the Nurture Café breaks down barriers, makes support easier to access, and helps pregnancy and early family life feel far less lonely.”

There will be free tea and coffee with a small donation asked for more special coffees such as lattes.

Light breakfasts will be available for adults and youngsters – with all food and drink free for little ones.

“Come in, relax and help yourself,” is the message the church wants to get across.

People will be able to drop-in at any time during opening hours and stay for as little or long as they want.

Practitioners will be on hand for those who need advice and help with concerns such as feeding, sleep, development and emotional wellbeing.

Appointments will not be necessary and there will be the opportunity to speak in private with a professional.

There will be support from a range of services including:

• Father Inclusive Champions – helping dads feel confident, included and involved

• Infant Feeding Peer Supporters – trained peers offering practical and emotional breastfeeding support

• Midwives – providing expert pregnancy and postnatal care and reassurance

• NHS infant feeding team – breastfeeding help, safe formula preparation, nutrition guidance and weaning support

• NHS mental health and safeguarding support – a compassionate, non-judgemental listening ear during the early weeks and months

• Family hub community support – advice on a wide range of family needs, including SEND support

• Early Childhood and Family Service – support for families with children aged from birth to five

• Healthy Service – health visitors and early years practitioners offering weighing and development advice

There will also be a set of self-weigh scales available each week for those who want to check their baby’s weight.

The café has been mainly funded by the church with some help from other sources, including a £500 contribution from Alexandra Kemp from her Norfolk county councillor community grant.

This will go towards the free snacks and drinks – and Cllr Kemp, whose county ward covers South Lynn, said: “If you are a mum, dad or a carer with young children in South and West Lynn, please come along. This is for you.

“Providing the right support at the right time to parents is crucial. This is what the Nurture Café will do.”

Cllr Kemp, also a West Norfolk borough councillor for the ward, added: “The child poverty rate in South and West Lynn is 33%. The number of babies born with a low birth weight is above the local and national average.”

The café is an addition to a number of other initiatives already at the church. In September, Cornerstone teamed-up with the town’s food bank to support the community by opening the premises as a satellite on Wednesdays making it easier for families that side of town to collect emergency parcels.

The church also runs a free holiday breakfast club (FISH) offering a healthy breakfast during the holidays for families and young children.