A new community cafe that aims to break down social barriers has been launched in north Watford.

Following similar schemes in Leavesden Green and Meriden areas, the Church of Nazarene, in The Brow, will welcome residents looking for a cup of coffee and a chat for two hours between 3pm and 5pm every Tuesday.

The project was led by the church, local councillors, Watford Community Housing Trust, the Woodside Action Group and ward police officers PCSO Vanessa Howden-Smith and PC Adam Thurston.

Erica Tuxworth, who became the pastor at the Church of the Nazarene 18 months ago, said: “We felt we wanted to reach the community. That coincided with residents getting stressed out about anti-social behaviour and things on the estate.

“It's about building relationships within the community. They all do their own thing. There isn't a lot that happens on this estate. We're quite lucky in that it's quite self-contained so we're hoping word of mouth will bring people in and they will get to know each other.”

Ward councillors Alan and Ellie Burtenshaw and Ian Brown donated money from their £5,000 neighbourhood forum grant to buy a coffee machine and send three volunteers on a health and hygiene course so they can run the kitchen.

Councillor Ellie Burtenshaw, who attended the launch with Mayor Dorothy Thornhill on Tuesday, said: “There doesn't seem to be a hub here. We do suffer quite badly from isolation so we felt this might help with social inclusion.

“We're very pleased to be able to do it and hope it will go from strength to strength.”

The opening of the cafe coincided with a new youth club for 12 to 16-year-olds that was launched last Friday evening. It will continue to run at the church every week between 7pm and 9pm.

PCSO Vanessa Howden-Smith said: “There's nowhere for the kids to go. It's supervised, well run and they are safe while they're here. It's better than hanging around on street corners.”

For more information about the cafe or youth club, telephone the church office on 01923 465114.