Park Life Heavitree is a community group that aims to bring together people in and around Heavitree Pleasure Ground in Exeter. Our charitable objects focus on – reducing social isolation, improving mental and physical wellbeing and getting people out and active. Our theory of change seeks to build stronger more active communities in and around Heavitree Pleasure Ground.
For the past 13 years, Park Life have been running monthly events in the park with the aim of bringing people together and having fun in our community. We have also supported the community through a share a meal scheme, funded through Sport England, the couch to 5K running clubs and summer volleyball sessions, provided free cooking lessons to our local schools and elderly and several other projects. Since 2010 these projects, events and more importantly the community have led us to dream and pursue the idea of a permanent café and hub in the park.
Many local and some not so local people combined their efforts, skills and expertise to make this dream a reality. These included a fund-raising team and a large building team as well as our usual events coordinators, cake bakers and brilliant volunteers.
Our facility was finally opened in October 2021. It provides a hireable space (The Hub) and a community cafe. The community café provides a safe and warm space as well as quality food and drink. The Hub now hosts a range of charity and community activities, music, sports groups and private parties. Any income generated goes back into Park Life activities and the park itself. We have the full support of Exeter City Council who are the land owner. Please use the links above to find out more about who we are, what we do and what events are coming up next – we’d love to see you there!