Community Café

Donna completed Stepping Up in 2022, and has been a volunteer with Restore at Christ Church Bridlington, providing food parcels and a space to talk at the Restore Hope Hub. Practical help and pastoral support is available, with time to listen and prayer. Donna has also been training with the “12 Steps with Jesus programme” to provide support for those seeking freedom from addiction.

Donna has now stepped up into a new role as Community Development Leader in the Christ Church Community Café. The café is open Monday-Friday mornings and is open to everyone, providing a welcoming space for people to meet. Donna loves baking and is flourishing in her new role. She is using her skills to bake for the café and is full of ideas for making the space a hub for local people to enjoy company and a chat with a range of activities. For example, crafty café is a space for people who are socially isolated or anxious to meet and enjoy crafting together.

On a Wednesday afternoon Lighthouse Church meets in the café, as a cafe-style, informal church gathering where everyone is welcome. People gather with drinks and snacks and discover more about Jesus through looking at the Bible, worship, prayer and fellowship. Donna loves creating a place of welcome and hospitality for everyone who comes along. It is a joy to see some of the people who worship at Lighthouse now joining the Stepping Up programme.

Donna says: “I want people to look at me and how far I have come. Then ultimately for them to ask how? Then I can tell them about Jesus. I have lots of ideas for things in the café. I want it to be a space for our community to come and share life with us.”

You can read Donna’s Stepping Up story here