A new community hub which will bring together the work of several Dereham groups has now been opened.

Eastern Daily Press: Green Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: ArchantGreen Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

The Green Pastures Community Hub has opened at 20 Norwich Street, which was previously occupied by Adcocks, and includes Green Pastures Book Shop, which has now moved from its old premises on High Street.

The hub, which will be mostly run by volunteers, will bring together some of the charitable work in the community and is a joint project with Dereham Baptist Church and Love Dereham.

It has been completely renovated to include the book shop at the front, with space at the back for other activities and a separate unit which will mainly be used for counselling services.

Anita Clarke, community project co-ordinator at Love Dereham, said: "The three different groups have all come together.

Eastern Daily Press: Inside Green Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: ArchantInside Green Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

"People can come in and talk to someone which combats loneliness. People often have difficulties with things like accessing their universal credit accounts, so there will be a lot of support for that.

"We would like to expand as time goes on. It's a really great place to be."

The project has been made possible thanks to fundraising and charitable donations and will offer a number of services, such as The Listening Post which is a drop-in centre for the town's young people who are in need of support.

Also on offer are counselling services provided by the Four Cs, which is a group made up of volunteer Christians.

Eastern Daily Press: Inside Green Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: ArchantInside Green Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

Christians Against Poverty is also involved and can offer debt counselling and budgeting advice for those who need it, while the community fridge has also been moved from the old shop into the new community hub.

Irene Humphrey, lead manager of Green Pastures Book Shop, said: "We were too cramped in our other shop, we just didn't have the space to do everything.

"It's great being here with more space and we wouldn't be here without our volunteers."

An official opening for the Green Pastures Community Hub will take place on Saturday, June 1 between 10am and 4pm and the Dereham community is invited to attend.

Eastern Daily Press: Irene Humphrey, Anita Clarke and Dave Ward at Green Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: Supplied by Anita ClarkeIrene Humphrey, Anita Clarke and Dave Ward at Green Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: Supplied by Anita Clarke (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Green Pastures Community Hub has now opened on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: Anita ClarkeGreen Pastures Community Hub has now opened on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: Anita Clarke (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Inside Green Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: ArchantInside Green Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Inside Green Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: ArchantInside Green Pastures Community Hub on Norwich Street in Dereham. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)