A very popular community cafe based in a South Norfolk church is closing over the summer months in order to be able to re-fit its kitchen in line with its vision.
Roots Community cafe, run by Wymondham Baptist Church has taken the difficult decision to close in order to bring its facilities up to modern standards for the future.
The cafe closed on July 24 and aims to reopen with new days in September. It has a planned refurbishment of its kitchen with all new modern appliances and cabinetry enabling it to keep up with the ever increasing demand on its popular services.
Roots is a cafe ministry run by Wymondham Baptist Church and was started in 2017 in response to a Norfolk-wide survey that highlighted that many local people suffer from loneliness. It was opened to offer space for all members of the community to be able to gather with friends and to have an opportunity to meet new ones.
Emma Smith, who is the project director, said: “Though we are sad that we are not going to be open during the summer to see all our amazing friends, we wanted to upgrade our facilities so that we can offer the best services we can.”
The planned works are only a small snapshot of a much larger vision which includes a brand new central meeting hub and cafe style reception room in the entrance of the Baptist church on Queen Street, Wymondham.
Emma said: “We have been amazed to see the way this ministry has grown since we began. We see people meeting up here time and time again from all walks of life and demographics. We want to be able to extend what we offer and are looking to the future.”
Roots offers a safe place for all members of the community and is also a place where people can be signposted to additional help when needed. As part of Wymondham Baptist Church there is a food bank on site each Friday from 11am – 12 noon and the cafe itself operates a ‘Pay It Forward’ scheme to help those who cannot afford to eat, the chance of free meals and drinks. The cafe is run entirely by volunteers who give up their free time to help. As well as serving there is always someone whose sole role is to be a listening ear.
Roots will return from September 20 with new opening days of Wednesdays and Fridays 10am – 1pm and the volunteers look forward to welcoming friends old and new. If you feel able to support this work within the community, there is an opportunity to do so through Just Giving or through the website www.wymondhambaptist.org
Keith Morris, 25/07/2023
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