People often see a photo from the café, a muddy pair of wellies from forest school, or a poster for the cinema and think, “Oh, that looks lovely.” And it is. But what you don’t always see is just how much is happening behind the scenes how many moving parts, how many people held, how many small moments of connection that quietly change the shape of someone’s week.

At The Pioneers Project, we’re not just running activities. We’re building belonging. We’re creating safe spaces. We’re showing up, consistently so that children, young people, adults and families know they’re not alone.

Here’s what a week with us really looks like.

Monday: Men’s Project at the Railway Platform

Mondays are for the men.

Our Men’s Project meets at Victoria Road Railway Platform, a place where a brew and a bit of banter can be the start of something bigger. It’s not always easy for men to walk into a space so having a project to get involved in and clearing the platform to develop readied gardening beds is often a fruitful way of cultivating relationships.

So we keep it simple: A warm welcome, no judgement, space to talk (or not talk) and practical connection and steady encouragement.

Some weeks it’s laughter. Some weeks it’s quiet. Some weeks it’s the first time someone’s said out loud that they’re struggling. Whatever turns up, we meet it with respect and we keep the door open.

Tuesday: Community Cinema at St Budeaux Library

On Tuesdays, we bring people together through something that feels small but matters a lot: sitting side-by-side and sharing a film.

Our Community Cinema at St Budeaux Library is about more than what’s on the screen. It’s about getting out of the house, feeling part of something, having a reason to show up -and creating a gentle space where people can relax

For some, it’s the highlight of the week. For others, it’s a first step back into community after a hard season.

Wednesday: Community Café + Compassion Café at The Barn

Wednesdays are big. Busy. Beautiful.

At The Barn, our Community Café is full of life – good food, familiar faces, new faces, and the kind of conversations that only happen when people feel safe enough to be themselves.

Alongside that, we run our Compassion Café – holding space for people who are carrying grief, stress, overwhelm, or just the weight of life. Sometimes people come for a meal and leave having been truly seen. Sometimes they come thinking they’re “fine” and realise they’ve been holding their breath for months.

This is what we mean when we say trauma-informed. It’s not a buzzword. It’s how we greet people, how we listen, how we respond, and how we protect dignity.

Thursday: Food Larder at Furze Park

Thursdays are about practical support – done with dignity.

Our Food Larder at Furze Park helps families and individuals access food without shame. We know that needing help can be hard to admit. So we focus on making it feel human, normal, and respectful.

It’s not just about handing out food. It’s about so much more. It helps to reduce stress in the home, make money stretch further, support parents to keep going and making sure no one feels judged for being in a tough spot.

And often, it’s also a place where people can ask for other help because once trust is built, conversations open up.

Friday: Forest School at Barne Barton Community Allotments

Fridays are for the outdoors.

Our Forest School at the Barne Barton Community Allotments welcomes children from Riverside, alongside our specialist forest school sessions.

This is where you’ll find mud, fire, tools, and teamwork; children learning confidence through doing; emotional regulation through nature and play; and adults who notice the small signs and respond with care.

We see children arrive wound up, guarded, or struggling and we see them soften. We see them try. We see them lead. We see them proud of themselves.

For many, it’s the best part of the week. And we don’t take that lightly.

And in between it all… Bull Point Barracks

Alongside the weekly rhythm of community work, we’re also holding a much bigger vision: developing Bull Point Barracks and turning it into a thriving community hub.

That means planning, meetings, problem-solving, chasing funding, building partnerships, and keeping the dream alive even when the to-do list is long.

Because we’re not just thinking about next week, we’re thinking about what Barne Barton and Plymouth deserve long-term. A place that feels welcoming and safe; a space for support, learning, community and opportunity; and a hub that grows with the people who use it.

Why we do it

When you look at our week, it might seem like “lots of separate projects.” But to us, it’s one connected story.

It’s about reducing isolation. It’s about building confidence. It’s about food, friendship, safety, and second chances. It’s about community-led support that doesn’t give up on people.

And we’re doing it together – staff, volunteers, partners, and the community itself.

If you’ve been part of any of these sessions – thank you. And if you’ve been watching from the sidelines, wondering whether to come along, consider this your invitation.

There’s a place for you here.