Chat-Tea is now running in its pre-covid format once again: healthy, homecooked communal meals and refreshments are available between 4-6pm on the first Sunday of every month. All are welcome regardless of age, situation, ability to pay or religious affiliation. No charge is made for the meals but donations are accepted towards ongoing funding. Booking isn't necessary but if you are able to let us
know that you plan to come, that would be helpful! You can call Karen on 07398 294 726 or message us via this page. There will be a craft/colouring table provided for the children. The idea for Chat-Tea came about during the winter of 2017, when the Youth group at St John’s became aware that a homeless person had been sleeping in the church porch and they wanted to help. This prompted discussions regarding the idea of a regular community meal, to help the lonely, vulnerable or disadvantaged, which would be prepared and served by the young people once a month. Based in St John’s Church Hall, Chat-Tea café opened its doors to the public on October 7th 2018 and prior to lockdown, served approximately 270 meals to people from the community. During the first CV-19 lockdown, Chat-Tea moved to a take-away service in early May 2020 and provided over 11,000 free hot meals and a great number of food parcels between then and the end of the take-away service in December 2021. Chat-Tea is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit, community project. It relies on monetary donations, funding grants and food donations, as well as a generous amount of time given by a team of volunteers. St John's Church is a proud member of the community FareShare scheme which receives food donations from both Tesco stores in March, for use within meals. Since mid October 2020, Chat Tea has been run by members of Ely Diocese's Changing Market Towns Project, as part of their community outreach work.
