From her serving hatch at the back of the hall, Nana Adjei has a clear view of the entrance to Broadwater Hub and the clock above it.
“They’ll be here soon,” announces Nana. The clock has ticked past school hometime and she knows that, just like every other Thursday in term time, the children of West Thamesmead are on their way.
For Nana and her fellow volunteers at Love Soup Cafe, that means things are about to get busy. But they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I just love being around people and I love feeding people,” says Nana. “I love to cook food for people to enjoy, to give them something that makes them happy. Especially the children. Every Thursday, apart from holidays, I’m here.”
'Here all day'
The volunteers give what time they can around their other responsibilities. Not everyone is here today, but those who are available have been coming and going all day. Tidying, preparing ingredients, cooking and playing their part in getting everything ready for this moment.
“In the morning I help out in the kitchen, in the afternoon I do arts and crafts with the children, and afterwards I help to pack up,” explains another volunteer, Devon Barthorpe. “So I’m here all day on a Thursday.”
Soon the children are lining up at the counter to collect delicious roasted potatoes with chicken or sweet potato and carrot soup with freshly-baked naan bread. Or perhaps a bit of both.
Some parents dine with the youngsters, while neighbours of all ages have been dropping in since the team started serving at midday.
After, or sometimes before, they’ve eaten, the children get stuck into arts and crafts activities with guidance from Bea Burckhardt and Devon. In the warmer months, they play outside instead.
'Everything is free'
None of it costs the children or their families a penny.
“Everything is free,” says Bea. “There’s always someone to chat and talk to. I personally got to know a lot of people. My partner has lived in the area longer than me but now I know a lot more people because of Love Soup Cafe.”
Harriet Sasse started volunteering at Love Soup Cafe at the same time as Nana, around five years ago. She has switched her work schedule to be able to help out.
“Today I had to run here from north London,” she says. “I’ve changed my Saturday off to a Thursday so I can volunteer. It’s just the joy of having the children around and contributing to the community.”
'It's uplifting'
“I love the community,” adds Beatrice Kigozi, leaving her chopping board at the rear of the kitchen. “When people come together, we get different ideas from each other.”
While there is nothing like tasty, home-cooked food to bring people together, at Love Soup Cafe the bringing together is perhaps even more important than the meals.
“There’s something special here, this little community we have,” reflects Nana. “When we talk to people, it’s uplifting.”
To join the team of volunteers at Love Soup Cafe, email wtccinfo2025@gmail.com.
