Welcome Café

The Welcome Cafe meets on

• Monday 5.30pm-8.00pm;
• Wednesday 10.00am-noon;
• Thursday 10.00am-noon
• 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10.00am-noon

In September 2021 several members of the church had a vision to provide a place where people who had been isolated during the pandemic could meet together for a drink and a chat. We also hoped it would benefit us as a church family too. Staffed by volunteers, we have been running ever since, offering free drinks and asking people to 'pay what they can' for cakes. We also have a jigsaw library, and a book exchange.

The Welcome Café is now a regular part of life for many people inside and outside the church.

We were helped to get going by a grant from the County Council Build Back Betterscheme. This grant and the donations for refreshments have helped us refurbish both the café and kitchenette area, buy new tables and donate to the church to cover heating and lighting.

Alongside the Café we have run a Warm Space in winter 2022, 2023 and 2024. Apart from warmth and refreshments we could provide board games, puzzle books and a jigsaw table for those who needed them.

We are delighted that several church and community groups which use our premises during the week also visit the café. They include a carers group, a Mindsong choir and a craft group.

We rely on our voluteers to run the café and bake our fantastic home-made cakes and biscuits. We celebrated their efforts by holding an afternoon tea to say thank you to them all in February 2024. If anyone would like to volunteer to help in the Café, in whatever capacity, please get in touch. Offers of further help are very much appreciated.

Most recently we have become a Place of Welcome because:

• we are open to everyone;
• we offer free refreshments;
• friendship and hospitality;
• we are open at the same times every week;
• we can provide information about the local area.

Visit www.placesofwelcome.org.uk for more information