A CHURCH is inviting people to come inside and warm up with a free bowl of hot soup.
But it’s not only serving lunch, Kings Church is providing opportunities for people to cook a meal together before sitting down to eat round the table.
Its new initiative is called The Well On Wednesdays.
Anyone who walks through the door midweek can help to peel vegetables, make soup and spend time chatting with others, before enjoying the fruits of their labour.
Church member Wendy Preston says: “We have a lovely space here, and we wanted to use it to serve our community.
“After talking with charity SHARE Wokingham about how people are struggling to make affordable meals, we realised we could offer not only a warm, safe space, but somewhere for people to cook and spend time together.”
Every week Wendy visits SHARE Wokingham to see what donated fruit and vegetables are available.
“We never know what there’s going to be,” she says.
“So the soup is often a bit of a surprise, but it’s always delicious.
“We only make vegetable soup, because then everyone can eat it.
SHARE Wokingham also provides bread for the meal, along with fruit, and sometimes cakes.
“I’m usually a very organised person, so it makes me a little bit nervous not knowing what food there will be each week,” laughs Wendy.
“But I love doing this, and somehow, there’s always enough to go round.
“And it’s lovely to work together.
“Some of the best conversations happen here, and there’s always something new going on.”
The church has been trialling the event since September, and has a core group of around 13 or 14 people.
Some saw the church’s advert in the window, while others heard by word of mouth.
One or two popped in out of curiosity for five minutes and ended up staying.
And people are coming back.
“Everyone mucks in,” says Wendy.
“So it feels like a family gathering
“It’s important to us that this is a place where people can come and just be.
“At 11am we open the doors for coffee, and people can chat if they’d like.
“But if they just want somewhere to be warm and quiet, well, that’s ok too.
“Then we prepare whatever vegetables have been donated by SHARE, make soup together, and sit down to eat.”
“People don’t have to eat either if they don’t want to.
“If you come inside, you can be part of it,” continues Wendy,
“Whether you want to socialise with others, or you’d rather just sit and watch, we don’t mind.
“It’s OK not to be OK here.”
The group usually eats at around 12.30pm.
Anything left over, and any other donated food, can be taken home.
“We’re very grateful to SHARE Wokingham for providing the food,” says Wendy.
“And we’re delighted to be able to open our doors to people in this way.
“Everyone is welcome.
“Come just as you are.”
The Well On Wednesdays takes place at Kings Church, Wokingham, on Wednesdays, from 11am to 3pm.
Entry is free of charge.
Anyone wanting to join them should simply turn up.
For more information about Kings Church, visit: www.kingschurch.org.uk
For more information about SHARE Wokingham, search for sharewokingham on Facebook.
