Plates & Play! at St John’s, Upper Norwood – Welcoming families with free meals, all year round

Join us every Wednesday, 3:30–5:30 PM for Plates & Play! — a free, friendly event where families of all sorts can enjoy a delicious and nutritious two-course meal together. It's a relaxed time to connect, share good food, and unwind after a busy day. Everyone is welcome!

Book your free session below. Choose a date and reserve your spot:

28 October
4 November
11 November
18 November
25 November
2 December

More than a Meal – Community, Fun & Support

Join Messy Meals, a weekly community event at St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood. Share a meal, friendly conversation, and fun games in partnership with Transforming Lives for Good to support local families.
Plates and Play at St John's Upper Norwood

Plates & Play! is about more than just food. Alongside a hearty meal, there’s time for board games, friendly conversation, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for company, a bit of fun, or simply a break from cooking, Plates & Play! offers a safe and supportive space for families to relax and enjoy time together.

In partnership with Transforming Lives for Good (TLG), we aim to support families in our community with care and compassion. TLG is a fantastic organisation that helps children and families in need through their Make Lunch program, which provides nutritious meals and community support, especially during school holidays. Through this partnership, we’re able to offer meals every week at Plates & Play!, ensuring no child goes hungry and every family feels welcome.

Come along — you’ll always find a seat at the table.

Donate to Support Plates & Play!

 FAQs

  • No, Plates & Play! is for families so all children need to be accompanied by an adult, apart from our teenage volunteers

  • Yes please! Booking helps us plan for the right number of children and grown-ups to cater to each week.

  • Plates & Play! is completely free, but we would love it if you might like to make a donation.

  • Definitely! At St John’s, all children are welcome and families of all shapes and sizes have a place in our community. Please do feel free to be in touch with Fr John or Mthr Rachael about how we might help your child feel safe and welcome at Plates & Play!. We are here to support you. Just let us know about any allergies when signing up for Plates & Play!, and we’ll ensure a safe and suitable meal is prepared for you.

  • Absolutely! Just let us know about any allergies when signing up for Plates & Play!, and we’ll ensure a safe and suitable meal is prepared for you.

  • We would love that! Please speak to one of the volunteer team after the session about how you can get involved.

Parent and carer testimonial for Messy Meals| St John's Upper Norwood

“Plates & Play! has become our go-to every Wednesday after school! The kids absolutely love catching up with friends, getting creative with colouring, and diving into board games. For us grown-ups, it’s such a treat to relax in a warm, welcoming space, and the food is genuinely delicious. It’s the perfect midweek reset for the whole family!”

Suzy

Two women smiling at the camera in a spacious banquet hall filled with children and adults seated at long tables. The women are wearing name tags, and there are apples on a table in the foreground.
A woman and a group of children gathered around a garden bed, looking at plants. The children are wearing aprons and are engaged in gardening activity on a sunny day.
Long rectangular dining table set with white tablecloth, arranged with plates, cutlery, folded napkins, glasses, and plastic water pitcher. Chairs surround the table in a room with wooden floors.
A group of children and adults gather around a table with candles and a wooden cross, participating in a memorial or prayer activity, with a food service counter in the background.
Two women standing inside a room with large windows. The woman on the left is smiling and wearing a gray t-shirt and black pants, with a name tag that says 'Carol.' The woman on the right is wearing glasses, a patterned blouse, and a dark skirt. Ther
Empty banquet hall with long decorated tables set with white tablecloths, glassware, and napkins, and a buffet area at the front with food trays, in a room with high ceilings, wooden beams, and large windows.
Two people, a man and a woman, smiling and wearing name tags with orange lanyards, standing close together indoors in a well-lit room with high ceilings and large windows. The man has a shaved head and is wearing a red and white striped t-shirt, whil
Table with assorted vegetables, pasta, and toppings for a buffet meal, with covered trays and bowls of fresh ingredients.
 

Join us every Wednesday, 3:30–5:30 PM, for Plates & Play!

📍 Location: The Community Hall at St John’s, Upper Norwood,
Sylvan Road, London SE19 2RX

Have more questions? We’re happy to help!
📧 Email: office@sjun.org.uk
📞 Phone: 020 8771 6686