The idea
The Melting Pot Café will create a safe, welcoming space for all in the heart of the Willow Way/Court Bushes community in Hurstpierpoint, an area with significant social needs, which will benefit enormously from this new centre. We are seeking funding for an Esprada X30V twin grinder coffee machine for The Melting Pot Café. We have identified this particular machine as the best option for meeting our requirements because:
1) We want every person visiting the café to know that they are valued and that the best quality is available for them in their community.
2) This machine produces excellent freshly ground coffee at the press of a button, so that our volunteers do not require highly skilled training in order to deliver consistently excellent coffee/hot chocolate every time.
3) The machine is extremely reliable and long lasting with a 3 year maintenance plan included in the price.
4) We are supporting a local business as this machine is supplied by Aureo Group in Burgess Hill.
What we'll deliver
- Bring people together from our local community, breaking down barriers
- Provide a safe, welcoming café space in the heart of the community
- Provide excellent quality coffee and nutritious food at very affordable prices
- Work closely with other charities and service providers to create a welcoming venue to make connections and meet needs
- Create opportunities for volunteering and gaining experience in catering and hospitality
Why it's a great idea
There is a very strong sense of community in the Willow Way area of Hurstpierpoint, but until recently there has been no community building there. Mid Sussex District Council have recently refurbished a building in order to create the new Court Bushes Community Hub to be a brand new community centre. The Melting Pot Café is a collaborative project run by the local churches, which will open 2 days a week and provide a safe space to reach out to young families, older people and those who find themselves socially isolated. Our vision is to create a lively, welcoming environment serving top quality food and drink at very affordable prices that can be enjoyed by all, bringing the whole community together. There have been some challenges in the local community (anti-social behaviour, drug and alcohol problems, loneliness, lack of provision for older people), and a number of community groups and charities want to use the café to make connections to reach out to those in need.
Steps to get it done
- Securing funding for the coffee machine
- Securing funding for remaining kitchen equipment (other Trusts)
- Recruit, train and organise volunteers
- Advertise café opening date to local community
- Open café Summer 2019
- Arrange visit from Environmental Health Officer for food hygiene rating (have already registered the café with the EHO
This is a not-for-profit venture and all the money generated by the café will be reinvested in the project. We are also applying for funding for the other kitchen equipment with other Trusts.
