ONCE a week, Kings Church opens its doors to anyone who wants to come inside for a free soup lunch.
The group’s initiative, The Well on Wednesdays, not only provides soup, but invites people to join in with the preparation and cooking of the meal.
In the morning, while they gather to chat over coffee, a car is sent to collect vegetables for the day’s soup, from SHARE Wokingham.
“Every week is different,” says Kings Church member, Wendy Preston.
“We never know what we are going to be making on the day.
“We just use whatever is available.”
Wendy explains that the venture is not only about making soup, but about creating a warm environment, to be among friends.
“It’s a place to be,” she says.
“While we peel vegetables and make soup together, we have time to chat before sitting down to eat together.
“And just as we never know what we’ll be eating, we never know who will turn up to join us.
“It’s fulfilling and exciting, largely because of the people who come along.
“Nearly 20 people come along regularly now.
“Everyone chips in, and those who know about herbs and spices, make the soups really interesting.
“People are really knowledgeable, and they bring something fresh.”
Wendy says the group has changed over the weeks.
“We had a sort of formula in the beginning, but it was put to one side, because it’s not really about that.
“The Well has evolved into something special, and it’s beginning to feel like a branch of our church family that happens to meet on a Wednesday.
“Essentially, you could say that we are a group of strangers that meet to have lunch, but in reality it does look and feel very much like family.
“Everyone works together, sharing skills, and there’s a lovely sense of people supporting each other.
“It’s really about building relationships, and being there for one another.”
People who want to join in on Wednesdays, but prefer to sit quietly, can enjoy a jigsaw table.
“It’s very popular,” says Wendy, “and people enjoy doing the puzzles.
“There are plenty of suggestions for the next one, and always new jigsaws being brought in.”
After the meal, any remaining food is shared.
“We fill a table with everything that is left over after lunch,” says Wendy.
“We call it our market table, and it’s available not only for those who came to enjoy lunch, but for anyone who wants to pop inside and take what they want.
“We recommend people arrive with a shopping bag and help themselves to what’s there – it’s usually, fruit and vegetables.
“There’s not a huge amount, but it’s definitely worth dropping in to have a look.”
“We want this to feel like a safe place where people can come just as they are,” continues Wendy.
“If people want to help make soup, they can, and if they want to eat, they can, but there’s no pressure to do either.
“It’s fine if people just want to come inside and get warm.
“It’s okay not to be okay here, and everyone is welcome.”
The Well On Wednesdays takes place at Kings Church, Station Road, Wokingham, on Wednesdays, from 11am through to 3pm.
Coffee is available from 11am, with lunch at 12.30pm.
The Market Table is available for people to help themselves from 2.30pm to 3pm.
People can simply turn up.
For more information about Kings Church, visit: www.kingschurch.org.uk
