Wendy Hughson and the Monthly Welcome Coffee

For the past two decades Wendy Hughson has been welcoming people to Centrepoint – helping them find connection, community and a sense of belonging. Every month that spirit shows up at the Monthly Welcome Coffee.

She has been leading the Monthly Welcome Coffee at Café Huguenin since its inception. Over her 20 years at Centrepoint Wendy has taken on many roles, including leading the Friday Coffee Mornings, organising a monthly Newcomers’ Lunch and coordinating external trips and tours. In recognition of her outstanding Centrepoint contributions she was awarded a Basel-Stadt Schappo[1] award.

Wendy was inspired to create the Monthly Welcome Coffee as a warm and relaxed option in a different setting – especially for anyone who felt a little intimidated about jumping into a busier Centrepoint event, or climbing the Lohnhofgässlein stairs (not to mention finding the Lohnhof entrance…navigating past the Brasserie au Violon…entering the Musikmuseum…locating the doorbell…and climbing another set of stairs!). Her goal was simple, to make Centrepoint easier to access and comfortable for everyone. Wendy is also happy to walk newbies to Centrepoint for their first visit.

Her passion for volunteering comes from her experience of living in many different places around the world and understanding what it takes to settle in, make friends and feel at home. She genuinely enjoys meeting new people and helping others connect with friends who share similar interests across the Basel region.  Outside of Centrepoint, Wendy loves entertaining, opera, ballet and reading. Creativity and the arts are clearly a thread woven throughout her life. She shared that when she lived in Japan she enjoyed making decorative boxes while also taking classes in calligraphy and sumie (ink painting) with a well-known Japanese artist. Japan remains her favourite country, with Tokyo as her “special” city. In the UK she enjoyed bobbin lace, embroidery, flower arranging, cake decoration, dressmaking and knitting. Her practical skills also include painting and plastering, which came in handy during a home extension!

The Monthly Welcome Coffee is another example of what makes Centrepoint special, people like Wendy who give their time, energy, and kindness to help others feel welcome and find connections.

All are welcome – members and non-members. If you know someone who is new to the area, invite them along. And bring a friend.

Details:

When: Usually on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month (the day before the Centrepoint apéro)

Time:  10:30 – 11:30 am

Location: upstairs in Café Huguenin, at Barfüsserplatz in Basel

Come for a chat, stay for the connections—hope to see you there!

By Roxane Baxter

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[1] The Prix Schappo is awarded twice a year to groups or individuals that are committed to other people and to promoting the quality of life in Basel with extraordinary voluntary commitment.