Mill Street Community Cafe marked its fifth anniversary as a charity yesterday, with a celebration full of party food, bubbly and a warm welcome to regular customers, volunteers and supporters.
Manager David Savident said the greatest reward was seeing the difference that the cafe makes to those who walk through its doors.
‘Nothing pleases me better than when somebody comes in a bit doleful and goes out with a smile,’ he said.
‘If somebody comes in and they’re on their own and want to sit with somebody, we’ll encourage them to do so. They don’t have to. But if they want – they can have a conversation.’
The cafe, nestled in the Old Quarter, provides affordable home-cooked meals, with free food available to those unable to pay.
It also works with the Guernsey Employment Trust to offer placements, helping people develop skills and confidence in a workplace.
Over the past five years, the charity has transformed its facilities, including installing a new, open kitchen in 2023, allowing staff and volunteers to remain connected with customers while preparing food.
Mr Savident said the cafe had become an important social outlet – welcoming everyone from regulars and holidaymakers, to members of Man Club, who meet there every fortnight.
‘In fact, we don’t have many people in here on their phones,’ he said.
‘People come in, sit on the table there, and the phones go away. They’re chatting.’
Among those celebrating was Chris Martin, who has been visiting for three years, choosing to support the charity as a paying customer.
‘I think the ethos is fantastic,’ he said, ‘that this is available to folks who need it. There are a lot of people who have got no one to talk to or have a cup of tea with. It’s absolutely brilliant in here. Everyone knows everybody. There’s a bit of joking, a bit of banter. It would be terrible if it wasn’t here. It would be missed.’
Volunteer Angela Davis, who joined the team two and a half years ago after moving to Guernsey, said the cafe had become a special place for those working there too.
‘You build a rapport with the volunteers, and you never really know who’s going to come through the door. It’s quite a surprise.
‘You get to know the regulars. And if it’s somebody new, we introduce ourselves and tell them about it. The food is super because it’s all home-cooked. And there’s always somebody with a listening ear, or a kind word.’
The charity currently has about 20 volunteers but is looking for more, with funding for rising costs continuing to present challenges.
Mr Savident said the cafe was also developing its educational activities, including cooking sessions, French classes and training to help volunteer staff better understand mental health and neurodiversity.
It will serve its free Christmas lunch on 22 December, and on 19 December, it will host a community event at the Town Church from 10am to 2pm.
‘We’re taking the cafe out for the day,’ said Mr Savident.
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