WiSE charity café visited by thousands marks major milestone

A charity café visited by almost 4,000 people across Wetherby has celebrated its second birthday.

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) launched its Welcome Café two years ago to support people of all ages as they battled the cost of living crisis.

The café proved so successful over its 102 weekly sessions that the short term initiative became a permanent fixture as part of Voluntary Action Leeds’ award-winning ‘Warm Spaces’ scheme.

WiSE Chief Operating Officer Mark Dobson, said: “What started out as a short term initiative to help people through winter hardship proved to be a desperately needed social and economic lifeline to lots of people of all ages right here in Wetherby.

“Although WiSE is best known for its work with isolated, older people, we’ve always emphasised that the Welcome Café is open to absolutely anyone. You don’t need to be over a certain age and you don’t need a referral- we’ll offer a warm welcome and something to eat to anyone who needs our support.

“That’s the ethos behind the Warm Spaces scheme and WiSE’s extended work as a Local Community Anchor Network, supporting vulnerable groups of all ages.”

WiSE’s Welcome Café opens on Tuesdays from 11.30am to 1.30pm at Wetherby Town Hall. Patrons make a donation of their choice in exchange for food and company in a warm and welcoming space.

The café is supported by organisations including The Oven Door, Sainsbury’s and Wetherby & District Foodbank. From time-to-time, other local organisations attend the café to offer advice on how people can stay safe, warm and well.

For more information visit www.w-ise.org.uk