We are currently working on plans to open up St. Thomas' church as a brand new community café, which will provide a vital and supportive communal space for people to come together, socialise and enjoy a homely atmosphere within Pennywell. We look to overcome isolation by connecting residents together and providing them with valuable support networks. Furthermore, the café will provide strong volunteering and employability opportunities within the city of Sunderland. Our aim in this is to enable the people of Sunderland to gain confidence in their own abilities, to develop their own potential, and to help shape and nurture their own local areas. The café will provide good quality food and drink, as well as the potential to hold numerous community events, such as quizzes, workshops and Bible & Cake meet-and-greets. It will also be a dog-friendly atmosphere in which our canine friends are welcome to relax whilst their human friends enjoy a catch-up and meet other dog enthusiasts too.

What we'll deliver:

• Install a new, servicable kitchen with specialist coffee-making facilities.
• Source and provide barista training for staff and volunteers.
• Develop and produce a new café area with appropriate furnishing, decor and crockery.

Why it's a great idea:

Our café will be an open space for all to enjoy good food and drink. It will give opportunities for people to come together from all backgrounds, improve their wellbeing and promote intergenerational encounters, thereby overcoming social isolation and anxiety. Located within a church, our café will also hold Bible & Cake meetings and other religious events for locals to come and engage with us, enjoy food and meet with our Reverends to discuss aspects of their faith. It will also provide strong employment and volunteering opportunities. We will recruit local residents to join us, gain experience and come away from a strong reference for further employment. We want to improve the local economy and any funds we make from the café will be reinvested back into the community. We are keen to promote sustainability and conserve the environment within our area. The café will be an initiative to promote recycling, upcycling and healthy eating projects for our users.

Steps to get it done:

• To see that this project will be viable through emerging funding.
• To work with an Architect to gain plans and approved faculty (Church permission) to adapt the building.
• To source workmen and contractors to carry out plans.
• To train staff and volunteers trained in using relevant coffee machines.
• To furbish our cafe area, as well as purchase crockery, tables and displays.
• To plan and develop our new cafe menu, offering a variety of healthy, locally-sourced food.
• Open cafe!

We strongly believe in the values of upskilling and running initiatives that will teach new skills. Our café will be used as a launch pad to hold sewing, threading and cooking courses to equip our users and volunteers with the ability to become more independent and self-sustainable with their lifestyles. Such an environment will greatly increase wellbeing and confidence for all, regardless of their backgrounds.