The reopening was a fitting celebration for client Grant Kensington's 55^th birthday - celebrated with coffee and cake, surrounded by friends.

"It's great that we're back, and I'm so happy to be here with my friends for my birthday," Mr Kensington said.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Community Based Support chief executive officer Allyson Warrington said the reopening was well received by their clients.

"We had to close in March, and we've been very cautious about when we were ready to reopen," Ms Warrington said.

"It's absolutely brilliant, Grant's birthday today. He can celebrate with his friends and they're delighted that they can share it with him as well.

"It's all a little bit different, we haven't been able to have candles blown out as would normally be the case, but they're still enjoying it."

The social hub offers the service's clients the opportunity to receive social support from staff, as well as travel out in the community in groups.

"They have the opportunity to interact with each other, so they love the connections and the friendships they have," Ms Warrington said.

"They have activities they can do either inside this hub or go outside on the bus and have excursions.

"They've really missed it, the social connection particularly, and we've missed it too.

"We're working with the most vulnerable members of our community, so it's really important for their mental health and their wellbeing for them to feel a valued part of the community, to be able to socialise and do what they want to do."

The Bridport Social Hub, also run by Community Based Support, will reopen on Wednesday.

What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor: