Louise was leading the group and had a vision. With the announcement of the destruction of the High School and the Community Centre, she recognised that Lossiemouth would need a new home — a safe space where people could come together.

After taking advice, she believed the best way forward was to become a charity. With a team of dedicated volunteers, she aimed to create a welcoming place for everyone — to eliminate isolation and provide a true home for the community.

Discussions began with The Annex at Moray Medical Centre to lease the premises for the development of a Wraparound Childcare Centre and Community Hub. Architectural plans were drafted and subsequently approved by Moray Council. Efforts were then made to secure a 25-year lease; however, an agreement could not be reached. As a result, the Board made the decision to withdraw from further negotiations.

When the country went into lockdown, Louise and her team were furloughed but quickly turned their energy toward volunteering, playing a key role in the community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Working alongside the Community Council, local churches, and volunteers, they helped coordinate vital support for over 400 families, older residents, and vulnerable individuals through food deliveries, shopping vouchers, and wellbeing initiatives.

This remarkable effort was made possible thanks to the dedication of volunteers and the generous support of Lossiemouth Baptist Church, which provided space and a family worker to help manage logistics. Volunteers packed and delivered food parcels, supported those who were shielding, and offered a friendly face during challenging times — a true reflection of Lossiemouth’s community spirit.

The Board entered discussions with JNK Kitchens regarding a potential lease of their premises for the development of a Wraparound Childcare Centre and Community Hub. Architectural plans were again prepared and submitted to Moray Council for approval; however, the planning application was ultimately rejected, as the site was designated for business use only.

With Christmas approaching, the team began preparing Christmas hampers for residents across the community — a project made possible through the generous support of the United Free Church in Lossiemouth. Our incredible volunteers worked tirelessly to pack and deliver hampers, spreading festive cheer and kindness to local families and individuals in the lead-up to Christmas.

In the aftermath of the pandemic, the group brought festive cheer to the town by organising its very own Santa Bus around Lossiemouth. With 13 stops, the team started at noon and finished at 8 p.m. — and what a day it was! The bus was kindly donated by Stagecoach, and Louise’s husband and daughter, both Stagecoach employees, volunteered their time to run the event free of charge. It was a wonderful day that lifted spirits and brought smiles to the faces of children and parents alike.

The group launched a Community Food Larder, providing essential food items to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially based in the Community Centre, the larder later moved to the Industrial Estate following the Centre’s closure. Dedicated volunteers ensured it continued to support those in need.

The much-loved Lossiemouth Community Centre officially closed its doors, leaving a significant void in the heart of the community.

The Board and volunteers worked tirelessly to raise funds at every possible opportunity. From monthly car boot sales in the local doctors’ car park, to fun nights, online raffles, and the now-famous charity shop with the mannequins on Queen Street — the team poured their energy into every idea imaginable, all with one goal: to raise enough money to secure a permanent home for the community.

The 2-3 Group continued to grow and was in need of a more permanent base. The group moved into the Youth Café building, where sessions were held in the mornings, while the afternoons were opened up to local groups and activities. New initiatives were established to help the community reconnect and recover from the isolation brought on by the pandemic. Coffee mornings, pop-up shops, and community events brought people together once more — while also supporting ongoing fundraising efforts.

After exploring every possible venue in Lossiemouth — most of which were either too small or unsuitable — the Board began to lose hope that their vision for a new community space could become reality. Then, one pivotal conversation changed everything.

Discussions began with The Warehouse regarding a potential 25-year lease for the premises. Initial agreements included a six-month rental period at 50% rent, giving time to secure planning permission and Care Inspectorate approval.

During this time, the empty building was transformed into a charity shop in the summer of 2021 to help fund the project. Our wonderful volunteers embraced the challenge, turning the makeshift space into a lively and welcoming shop. They raised vital funds, attracted visitors to Lossiemouth, and had plenty of fun along the way — a perfect example of community spirit in action.

A major milestone was reached as the 25-year lease for The Warehouse premises was formally signed — marking the start of a new chapter for the charity and the community.

During this period, the Board successfully secured all necessary funding, building warrants, and planning permissions to begin Phase 1 of the development. This initial phase focused on creating essential facilities, including an outdoor area, ground floor works, upstairs toilet facilities, a community kitchen, and a counselling room.

To support these ambitious plans, the Charity Shop had to close temporarily, later reopening for four-week pop-up periods twice a year on Queen Street. These short bursts of activity proved vital in raising the additional funds needed to cover ongoing expenses.

Phase 1 was successfully completed, delivering the new outdoor area, refurbished ground floor, upgraded facilities, community kitchen, and counselling space. This incredible transformation was made possible thanks to the skill and dedication of local businesses, including J.G. Building Contractor, Dennis Thomson Building Contractor, MS Electricals, ECO Plumbing, and G.K. Decorator.

After two wonderful years, the 2-3 Toddler Group celebrated its evolution into a fully registered nursery, officially moving into the newly developed building — a proud moment that marked the realisation of a long-held dream for the Lossiemouth community.

The dream became reality as we officially opened the Wraparound Care Centre, offering a range of essential childcare services for local families:

• Breakfast Club (7:00 AM – 8:30 AM)


• 2–3 Year Old Group (8:45 AM – 2:45 PM)


• After School Club (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

We were delighted to secure UK Government funding for Phase 2 of our development — an exciting project that included the creation of a dedicated social space and the installation of a new roof fitted with Solar PV panels.

The grant was administered through the Moray Council tender process, which required the appointment of a project manager — a role that, although mandatory, was not covered by the funding. This presented a significant challenge: how to raise the additional money to fund the project manager while still meeting everyday running costs.

Thankfully, a generous offer came at just the right time. Callum Hill, Louise’s son, kindly stepped in pro bono through Chap Construction, enabling us to move forward with Phase 2.

The main construction tender was awarded to Ken Barbour, with the solar installation completed by local firm MS Electrical.

We were honoured to be visited by a Royal Visit from The Princess Royal honouring us for our Community Achievements at the Hub. This was in recognition for our outstanding contributions and achievements of the individual volunteers and the group. All board and volunteers were present to meet and talk with the Princess Royal.

A new chapter began as the charity officially evolved into The Lossie 2–3 Group and The Lossie Community Hub. Our new name and logo reflect this growth — symbolising our journey from humble beginnings as a small playgroup into a flourishing “Tree of Life” that represents community, connection, and growth.

We celebrated our first Christmas at The Hub, a wonderful family event organised by our amazing volunteers. It was a day filled with joy, laughter, and festive spirit — a true celebration of everything our community has achieved together.

We proudly opened our new Social Space, providing a dedicated area for community activities, events, and social engagement — a space built by the community, for the community.

To show our gratitude, we hosted our first Volunteer Tea Parties over two weeks — a heartfelt thank you to every person who helped us turn our vision into reality.

Today, we continue to grow month by month, expanding the range of classes, activities, and services we offer. Our vision remains strong — to keep building an amazing, volunteer-led Community Hub that gives back to the people of Lossiemouth.

If you would like to get involved, support our work, or simply pop in for a chat — we’d love to hear from you.

Many, many thanks for supporting our vision.