From 16 to 40: A community space transformed

When The Salvation Army Riverside (Gawler East) received a Social Impact Grant last year, they saw an opportunity to do more than just upgrade a space. They reimagined how their community could come together.

With $20,383 in funding, their Play Café Redevelopment turned a small, limited space into a vibrant, welcoming hub for families.

The Salvation Army’s Josh Sanders says: “It’s become a space where families don’t just visit. They stay, connect and feel supported.”

Before the upgrade, the café could only hold around 16 people at a time. Now, it comfortably supports up to 40, more than doubling its capacity and opening the door for many more families to connect, play and access support.

A space designed for connection

The transformation wasn’t just cosmetic. Walls were removed, new lighting and technology were installed, and the entire layout was redesigned to make the space more open, flexible and inviting.

A dedicated toddler play area was created, complete with soft play equipment and custom artwork, while new tables and chairs made it easier for families to gather comfortably.

The result? A space that feels less like a service and more like a community living room.

Supporting families beyond the café

Since reopening, the Play Café has become a hub for connection and support. Now:

• families attending programs like ‘Bubbles’ can stay, socialise and build relationships after sessions
• external services such as Feros Care are using the space to meet with clients
• child protection family groups continue to access the café, with more availability than before.

“At Christmas, the space hosted special events where families experiencing financial hardship could connect over coffee while being introduced to local support services,” says Josh. “These events led to further engagement with services like MoneyCare and The Haven.”

Real impact for the community

More than 300 people have already directly benefited from the upgraded space.

The increased capacity has also helped the café generate a small income, allowing prices to stay low and ensuring the space remains accessible to those who need it most.

This is what Social Impact Grants are all about: practical changes that create stronger, more inclusive communities, one welcoming space at a time.