There has been plenty of change on Kingsley Park Terrace over the past 14 years, with businesses opening, closing and changing hands. But one place has remained a constant at the heart of the Northampton community – Heathers Café.
Owner Heather Korbey has been recognised for her dedication after receiving a prestigious Rose of Northamptonshire Award for Services to the Community.
The award was presented at the Rose of Northamptonshire Awards in early June after Heather was nominated through Action for Happiness, where Heather’s Community Café is recognised as an official Happy Café.
“I was surprised when I won the award and it’s very humbling,” Heather said.
Heathers Café has been based on Kingsley Park Terrace for 14 years and has developed into a welcoming community hub where people can meet others, make friends and find support.
“When I discovered Action for Happiness, it matched what we were already doing,” Heather explained. “We meet people, engage them and help them find something they’re interested in.”
Heathers is now the lead Happy Café for a network of 14 cafés, working alongside organisations including the wellbeing hub at Delapré Abbey to encourage connection and improve wellbeing across Northamptonshire.
The Action for Happiness team praised Heather’s work, saying: “This recognition is so richly deserved. Heather’s dedication, compassion and tireless commitment to supporting the Kingsley community has made a remarkable difference to countless lives. Through her kindness, encouragement and unwavering belief in the power of connection, she has helped create a stronger, more caring and happier community for everyone around her.”
Bringing the Kingsley Front community together
Community has always been at the centre of Heather Korbey’s vision.
“It started with the residents’ association. We wanted people who lived on their own to have somewhere they could come, meet other people and make connections.”
Today, Heathers Café hosts activities throughout the week, including Monday litter picks, Tuesday and Wednesday women’s groups, menopause support sessions, Orange Café meetings, Action for Happiness gatherings, Thursday evening craft groups and regular polymer clay workshops.
Heather says these groups have helped transform lives.
“One lady saw one of our Facebook posts during lockdown and came in for a cup of tea. A few years later she’s out and about, still comes in regularly and is much happier. It all started with popping in for a cup of tea. Before that she was just stuck indoors because of lockdown.”
More than just a café
Visitors to Heathers Café can enjoy all-day breakfasts, paninis, jacket potatoes, homemade cakes, barista coffee, tea and chai lattes, with gluten-free and dairy-free options also available.
For Heather, however, it’s the friendships that matter most.
My biggest joy is when people are happy. It makes you happy too. Seeing people connect over a cup of tea and a slice of cake is what it’s all about.
Heather believes community cafés are becoming increasingly important as welcoming spaces where people can combat loneliness and build friendships.
“We’re part of the council’s Welcoming Spaces network, with more than 100 registered venues. Some are churches and others are community groups. There are pockets of communities everywhere and they all need our help. Go and look for them and get involved.”
New Trinket Treasure Swap Box
Heather’s latest community project is a Trinket Treasure Swap Box, where visitors can leave a small trinket and exchange it for another.
Hairbands, bracelets, keyrings, stationery, small ornaments, jewellery and other treasures have already been swapped, and Heather hopes similar boxes will spread to other communities.
Over the years, Heathers Café has also welcomed some famous faces. Members of American comedy rock band Green Jellÿ have stopped in for breakfast, while television crews from Antiques Road Trip and antiques expert Charles Hanson have also paid visits.
“It’s always nice when celebrities pop in,” Heather said.
Despite the famous visitors, Heather says it’s her loyal customers who keep the café going.
I’d like to thank all our regulars who are constantly coming in and out. They’re the bread and butter of the café.
A constant on Kingsley Front
Heather has watched Kingsley Park Terrace evolve over the last 14 years, with new businesses arriving while others have disappeared.
“We’ve seen lots of changes,” she said. “Shops have come and gone, but we’ve stayed here.”
As Heathers Café celebrates both 14 years on Kingsley Park Terrace and a Rose of Northamptonshire Award, Heather hopes the café will continue to be somewhere everyone feels welcome.
“It’s a little part of the community, and everyone is welcome. That’s what we’ve always been about.”
“There are pockets of communities everywhere, and they all need our help. Get involved. You never know how much difference something as simple as a cup of tea and a friendly conversation can make.”
Heathers is located at 86 Kingsley Park Terrace Northampton NN2 7HJ.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/heathersnorthampton/?locale=en_GB
Monday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Tuesday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Wednesday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Thursday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Friday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed