The Causeway Community Café has recently opened its doors at St John’s church hall and is already making a difference by offering a welcoming space for all every Tuesday from 10am to 2pm.
The café serves as a social hub and a place to connect, relax or even get a bit of work done in a friendly atmosphere.
Alan, one of the café’s volunteers, said: “We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel like they belong.
“It’s not just about the food – though we’re very proud of our homemade soup and tasty jacket potatoes – it’s about creating a community where people look out for one another.”
A regular visitor, Dennis, said the café has quickly become part of his weekly routine.
He said: “I come here every week now.
“There’s always someone to have a natter with, and I can catch up over a proper cup of coffee or pot of tea.
“You never feel alone here, and that’s special in today’s world.”
The café is the result of a collaboration between volunteers from St John’s URC, nearby residents and Willow Green College.
It also works with students from the college, supporting educational activities for young people aged 16 to 25 with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Bernedette, another volunteer at the café, said: “We’re just ordinary people who love to see our neighbours happy and supported.
“It’s amazing what can happen when people pull together for a good cause.”
The Causeway Community Café is one of the Co-op’s selected community causes for the year.
Customers are encouraged to support the initiative when shopping at the Co-op, with potential funding helping to sustain the café’s operations.
The café is committed to inclusivity and sustainability, sourcing ingredients from local suppliers and serving only fair-trade tea and coffee.
Helen, the volunteer coordinator, said: “We want to make choices that are better for the planet.
“No one should feel left out, and every meal should be a positive step for our community and the environment.”
Beyond food and drink, the café offers free Wi-Fi, making it suitable for both study and casual work in a friendly and safe environment.
For many visitors, it has already become a meaningful part of their week.
Janet, a pensioner who recently moved to the area, said: “It’s the highlight of my week.
“I’ve made friends here that I might never have met otherwise.
“It’s more than a café – it’s a lifeline.”
