The past few years have seen a drastic rise in the number of people turning to community cafes for support to tackle loneliness and poverty. But what actually are community cafes, and what purpose do they serve?
You might not have noticed your local community café, but it serves a vital purpose within your community. They are simple members of the community for the community, giving up their free time to serve the people of their town. They are often full, supplying affordable meals in times of need, due to the ever-increasing cost of living, or simply there if you need someone to talk to.
As lunchtime hits, community cafes across the country come to life. Strangers gather, chatting like they’ve been friends for years over a steaming cup of tea. However, beneath all the friendly chatter lies struggles, panic and uncertainty as our daily living costs continue to rise. This year, 62% of households in the UK have reported a noticeable increase in their bills, from gas and electricity to rent and mortgage payments, as well as many other monthly outgoings. And, while the cost of living initially skyrocketed back in 2021 following the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is still on the rise today and has increased drastically over the past five years.
Debs Cartwright-Wight is the founder and volunteer at the Lighthouse Community Café in Hednesford, alongside so many other willing volunteers, and shared what the café has done for her, and why she gives up her time to serve our local community with hot food, warmth and a good old place to chatter. “It’s the best thing I’ve done because it kept me busy. It’s put me in the centre of the community, everybody knows me, and it’s nice, because people know they can come to me if they need support.”
She originally started volunteering in 2018, around Christmas time, in the Beecroft car park, after retiring due to her own health struggles, which include living with Fibromyalgia alongside mental health problems. From there, she would supply the town’s homeless and those struggling with a ‘tuck bag’ consisting of a sandwich, a chocolate bar and a bag of crisps, ready for them to take away. Alongside this, she served hot meals cooked fresh every Friday, which went down a treat and still do now that they’ve moved to their prime location on Hednesford High Street.
Alongside her unwavering commitment to the community, Debs is a full-time caregiver for her teenage son, who has ND in addition to poor mental health.
During recent times, these cafes have become a vital support system, giving people a sense of belonging and acceptance, showing them that whatever they are going through, they aren’t always alone. “I just want people to know that we’re here and we can provide a service for them, you don’t need to go hungry. They’ve got somewhere they can come and sit, people they can talk to”.
“That’s why we’re in it, because this community pretty much saved my life”.
Debs Cartwright-White – Owner of the Lighthouse Community Café.
So next time you pass your local community café, drop in and have a cuppa – because you never know how much that one conversation can impact someone’s day.