The Mayor of Cheltenham joined staff and members of the business community to launch a month of festive activities at The Sober Parrot yesterday (Wednesday).

The Sober Parrot in St James' Square, Cheltenham, is an alcohol-free, not-for-profit café run by The Nelson Trust, a registered charity that brings belief, hope and long-term recovery to people whose lives have been torn apart by addiction and the multiple and complex needs that come with it.

The Christmas Tree lights were turned on by the Trust's chair of trustees, Dame Janet Trotter.

Special guests included the Mayor of Cheltenham, Cllr Steve Harvey, representatives from Cheltenham BNI, Circle to Success, Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce, Meet, Connect & Refer, and Cheltenham Business Improvement District.

Kirsty Day, head of recovery at The Nelson Trust, said: "We are so happy to be open to the public once again and have a special festive menu at the café this month.

"We are also pleased to be partnering with local businesses in Cheltenham to bring some much-needed Christmas cheer to families and individuals who may be facing adversity over Christmas.

"We are running some Christmas craft workshops for people we have been honoured to have helped with meals during the Covid pandemic through various projects including #FeedCheltenham."

Activities during December include:

• Christmas craft workshops for clients of partner charities such as CCP and Feed Cheltenham
• Christmas market and storytime by Mrs Christmas on Saturday 4 & 11 December
• An evening for business networkers on 9 December
• The Recovery Community Christmas party on 18 December

Come and visit The Sober Parrot at St James Square, Cheltenham. All funds raised go towards helping local people in recovery from addiction or women in our community with multiple complex needs.

The Sober Parrot is open Wednesday-Sunday from 9am-3pm.

Facebook: @TheSoberParrot 

Twitter: @TheSoberParrot 

Instagram: thesoberparrot