We meet twice a month to collect food and essential items, share snacks, friendship and advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Refugee Café meet?
We meet every other Friday from 9:30am – 11am. Contact Danny if you’re not sure whether Refugee Café is on this week.
What happens at Refugee Café?
We have the opportunity to talk to the refugees, hear their stories and respond the best we can to their needs. Meeting them and talking to them has helped us to have some awareness of their struggles.
Following their request we provide each with a bag of dry food containing pulses and rice.
Through various donations we have been giving adult and children’s clothes, pots, pans,kitchen utensils, plates etc. We have also been giving moses baskets, activity mats, and toys. But it is only with the help of our community that we can continue to provide these items.
How can I support Refugee Café?
You can volunteer, make a financial donation, or donate the following items by dropping them at Church from 8:45 – 5:30pm every day:
Buggies
Large suitcases
Mobile phones
Pot and pans
Cutlery and plates
We also appreciate regular donations of basmati rice, red lentils, split peas and white beans. You can also make a financial donation here.
Who runs Refugee Café?
The Hive is run by our Pastoral Auxiliary, Danny Simpson, and a dedicated group of volunteers from St John’s Church. Welcoming the stranger and loving your neighbour as yourself is at the heart of the Christian faith.
Who attends Refugee Café?
Our guests come from all over the world and are currently living at Queen’s Hotel on Church Road. We have about 25 mothers who are coming regularly with the children who aren’t yet of school age.
Are there other activities for refugees at St John’s?
Everyone is welcome at any of our activities or services at St John’s. Sometimes, we host keep-fit classes, art sessions and health check-ups. We’re also running ongoing English classes.
How did Refugee Café begin?
The café started in March 2022 after a meeting with All Saints Primary School where many of their children are pupils. The school and the refugees outlined to us the restricted living conditions at the hotel: small rooms without suitable space for the children to play or for parents to relax; only some of the families have facilities for cooking –the hotel provides cooked meals for those without facilities, although often the meals don’t meet the refugees’ cultural needs.
St John the Evangelist
Everyone is made in the image of God.
Everyone deserves to be safe.