Free hot meals at Warndon Hub in cost of living crisis

The Community Kitchen is now back at the Warndon Hub in Shap Drive in Warndon, Worcester every Wednesday until April 5 after a trial run proved its value and popularity.

READ MORE: I'll fight Warndon's corner says gritty councillor 

READ MORE: Warndon councillor moves big bed by herself

The next supper is from 5.30pm until 7pm on Wednesday, March 1 with vegetable and chicken curry available as well as tea, coffee and dessert.

CONVIVIAL: The Community Kitchen in Shap Drive, Warndon has brought people together (Image: Paul Mountain)

Although free at the point of need, any donations are welcome.

Around 20 people attended the last one on Wednesday but the community event, which draws in people of all ages and backgrounds, was bringing in around 30 people during a trial late last year.

Paul Mountain, a semi-retired solicitor from Barbourne in Worcester and part of the Worcestershire and Shropshire Quakers, wanted to introduce the scheme to help people during the cost of living crisis but says it is as much about good company and socialising as anything else.

There was a trial run of the scheme before Christmas which proved a success and showed there was, quite literally, an appetite for it in the community.

The service has been made possible thanks to the Worcester Grassroots Alliance which includes Worcester Community Trust, Worcestershire and Shropshire Quakers, St Paul's Hostel, Tolladine Mission and the Duckworth Community Trust which provide support in various ways, including financial.

'Generous funding' has also arrived from the Ravidassia Temple in Wolverhampton. 

The Ravidassia faith is a branch of Sikhism and Mr Mountain said he was to some extent inspired by their Langar tradition, whereby every temple runs a community kitchen on the premises for local people of all faiths and backgrounds. 

COMMUNITY: Cllr Jill Desayrah (in the red) has provided financial support to the scheme (Image: Paul Mountain)

Cllr Jill Desayrah, who donated £500 to the scheme from her city councillor Covid recovery fund, said: “The Community Kitchen initiative is a wonderful thing.

"Professional chefs cook delicious meals for tiny prices and the friendly atmosphere there makes it all even more enjoyable. Diners can also learn new skills in the kitchen afterwards.

"I’d like to say “well done” to everyone involved.” 

Each supper costs around £3 per head to run but is free at the point of need.

Mr Mountain said: "All the diners have said it is absolutely delicious.

"They all came back for seconds and the standard of the food has been absolutely delicious.

"It is mainly about community. It's not about handouts. It's about bringing people together to be sociable and enjoying good food."

The chef is Erina Molla who runs food classes at the Heart of Worcestershire College in Deansway.