In 2014 Canterbury Baptist Church completed a refurbishment of their buildings with a passion to serve and bless the community of Canterbury. This has included the letting of offices, rooms and halls to a whole number of different groups in the city offering university lectures, parent and toddler groups, counselling services, luncheon clubs, night shelter and english language tuition.

Following ROC Conversation in March, and with plans to offer health services in partnership with Parish Nursing, we hope to create a welcoming cafe that will signpost people to these services but more importantly bring together the diverse users of our own building and the wider community of Canterbury.

Lily's work to "Bring people together" and are dedicated to providing employment for those who might face barriers such as those with learning difficulties, mental health struggles and homelessness. They have a strong heart for the community and for those on the margins of society, making their partnership with the church a very good fit.

Canterbury Baptist Church and Lily's aim to provide a family friendly cafe space, offering light snacks together with drinks and homemade cakes. We hope to provide exhibition space, Christian literature, cooking classes and others events, all with excellent service and a very broad smile!

The money raised through this appeal has been budgeted and will be spent to simply get the cafe up and running. We will purchase kitchen appliances and cafe furniture, as well as making repairs to the flooring and lighting for a suitable space. We will require some signage and promotional material, and also sufficient waste collection.

We thank you in advance for any contribution that you are able to make and look forward to welcoming you into our new community cafe space!