We are awaiting a lease on the building. In the unlikely event that this is not secured, no money will be taken from backers. Buddhas Belly will be a coffee shop/deli & community space serving fresh, locally sourced food with a simple, seasonally inspired menu & affordable fresh produce. We aim to have a focus on food that is healthy but still delicious, simple & affordable. We will also focus on the different arts in the community, providing a space for artists & makers to display or exhibit their work for free, musicians to utilise the workshop space for events/studio time & so on. There will also be a focus on working with young people in the local community to provide them with the resources to feed their creativity, with workshops, projects & events. We aim for Buddhas Belly to be a social hub, community resource & place where you can go to feel inspired & connect with like-minded people, or just hang out & eat some tasty food!

What we'll deliver:

• A local venue for free/affordable events & workshops
• Fresh, affordable & delicious food & produce
• A place for artists and musicians to work & gain exposure
• Jobs for people in the local community
• Opportunity to volunteer & exchange skills
• Sell produce from local community gardens & local suppliers
• Youth clubs/workshops during school holidays

Why it's a great idea:

We want to give a space to the community that allows creative & financial freedom. This means that we can enjoy many different art forms in one space: music, art, meditation anything! With the freedom of affordability, anyone can enjoy & use this space. This will help local, self-employed individuals, artists & local residents to have a versatile space to use. We would love to have local artists have an input in the design & decoration of the space as well, giving them an opportunity to display their art. In a similar vain, we will aim to provide youth projects & workshops that will run over weeks in the holidays/weekends. Buddhas Belly will provide an opportunity for the community to come together for a positive purpose, whether that is volunteering your time to youth projects, attending events to support your local artists and makers, or supporting local suppliers & community gardens.

Steps to get it done:

• Securing the perfect location to accommodate our idea
• Refurbish and refit where necessary
• Contact local artists to help redecorate
• Contact local suppliers, community gardens and allotments for stock
• Grand opening to the public (food and music event)

FOOD: We aim to provide local people with locally grown produce, & an extra income to local suppliers and community gardens. We will sell fresh seasonal produce, & some other basic goods. A report shows that at least £39m has been cut from council youth services over the last seven years (BBC, 2018), now is the time to take action & provide a space where young people can socialise, create & learn in a safe environment. We will also have a deli style counter which will provide deli meats & cheeses, as well as our BUDDHA BOWLS - You can pick & choose to customise a bowl or choose from our own creations! WORKSHOPS & EVENTS: Having rooted ourselves in the South London community, we have a large network of creatives who are willing to share & exchange their skills - from registered youth workers & musicians, to jewellery makers & performers, we will be able to provide a space for a wide range of interesting projects & workshops for young people & adults.