At St George's Tufnell Park, we have been running a Wellbeing Cafe on Wednesday mornings since 2021, creating space for people to pop in for a coffee, cake, chat and relaxed activities.
In January 2023 we received a grant from Islington councillors to pilot serving up a hot lunch, made from surplus food from local supermarkets. The grant enabled us to pay for a freezer and for someone to collect food every day from local shops and either freeze it ready to be cooked for the lunch, or to give it away via a free food stall outside the church.
The lunch has become popular, with 25-30 people each week coming along not just for a delicious (often three-course) hot meal - plus take aways - but also for company, breaking down social isolation and opening up new friendships and connections. All kinds of people attend: retired people, refugees from Ukraine, local workers popping in for lunch, and those who are feeling the affects of the cost of living crisis. You can read more here: https://islingtonlife.london/discover-islington/blog/waste-watchers/
Using surplus food for our meals also takes a step towards tackling the environmental problem of food waste going into landfill, which is a huge contributor to climate change.
Our grant has run out and we are seeking to continue the project - a lifeline for many in Tufnell Park. We are seeking £3,500 to keep the project going for the coming months (and any surplus will support similar food projects or extend the life of the cafe). Please support the continuation of our Wellbeing Cafe!