All Refugees and Asylum Seekers are welcome

Sherwell United Church Hall – North Hill

Adults £1.00 Children 25p

Alternate Fridays, 4.00pm-8.30pm

Dates in 2015: Feb. 13th; March 6th, 20th; April …

The Cultural Kitchen is a safe meeting place for refugees and asylum seekers to come together, socialise, and make new friends.

About 45-60 people, from across the refugee and asylum seeker communities attend each session. Free art and craft activities are available and enjoyed by children and adults alike. Craft activities are led by community members wishing to share their skills.

Led by community volunteers, the food is prepared and a healthy Halal meal is served – You can get involved in the cooking, serving and eating! Everyone helps to clear away afterwards.

Now in it’s seventh year, the Cultural Kitchen has become important, relevant and is valued by the community who look to the Cultural Kitchen as a base to hold their celebrations. Together, the Kitchen has hosted Independence Day celebrations for both the Eritrean and Congolese communities, supported the Muslim community through Ramadan and celebrated Eid and in June participates in refugee week. On these celebration days, it is not uncommon for more than 100 people to attend.

The Cultural Kitchen is run through a collaboration of community members, volunteers and students from START, under the guidance of START staff. Access to other START services can be made at the Cultural Kitchen. Refugees can get housing advice from START workers there as a part of the Refugee Housing Support Service.

As a community activity, the Kitchen has built and strengthened supportive relationships with other agencies and organisations within the City.  Taking part is important, feeding into the idea of creating and belonging to a wider community.