St Michael’s café, known as Caf’Active, started in May 2010 and is run from the back of the church in Spencers Wood on the Basingstoke Road. It opens six days a week from 9.30 until 14.00 (with slightly later openings on Tuesday and Saturday).
The café serves hot and cold soft drinks as well as a range of cakes, sandwiches and hot food, all at very competitive prices.
The café opened to help put the church back at the centre of the community, enable the church building to be used for more than a few hours a week and to raise some much needed funds for the church.
To-date it is succeeding on all fronts. The café is used by the whole community, not just by the congregation. It is a meeting point for parents with young children, who know that no one will frown if there is a bit of noise or mess, and by pensioners getting out of the house for a bit of company. It is used by local employees for a spot of lunch and those not working wanting to catch up with friends. Local groups can use our mezzanine floor (the gallery) for meetings, even when the café is open. And now the church is open seven days a week for those who want it for a time of prayers and reflection.
The café is run by a paid manager (pictured), assisted by a number of volunteers. Most of our volunteers work for one morning or afternoon each week for two to three hours. We can never have too many volunteers, so if you are looking for something to do or a bit of company, please call Debbie on 0777 394 7836 or pop into the café.
And if you just want a welcoming place for a coffee, it will be lovely to see you.
