NOW open for almost 12 months serving up hot food, mugs of tea and a place to rest Sanctus @ Nicole's cafe in Chelmsford is a sanctuary for many in the city who find themselves having hard times.
Owned and established by Stephen Turoff, a spiritual healer, the cafe in Broomfield Road has been dedicated to providing free meals for the homeless and needy full time since summer 2012. But with an estimated £65,000 price tag attached to the service the centre relies on donations and volunteers to keep running.
"We've been busy ever since we opened and I often serve lunch for 25 to 30 people each day," said Caroline Wizik, who has managed the cafe ever since its transformation from a sandwich bar into a soup kitchen.
"I get everyone pitching in to chop veg and peel potatoes – I'm not their mother and I expect everyone to help.
"We don't get any money from anyone, at the moment it's almost all funded by Stephen and just rent alone isn't cheap."
Without refuge in the city centre cafe during the harsh winter months those who sit and talk over mugs of tea agree their experience would have been even more bleak.
"I've been staying at the night shelter but we have to leave by 9am each morning and a few of the guys mentioned they were going down the cafe," said one man, who did not wish to be named.
"At first I was reluctant as I didn't want to spend the few pennies I had on another cup of tea but then they said it was free, that we could just come and sit here and it's such a godsend."
To allow this vital service to continue fundraisers have organised a musical 'Tea on the Lawn' on July 21 with all monies raised donated to the Sanctus Charity.
Featuring performances from soprano classic Jackie Pittman, jazz singer Mike Summers' and rock chick Nicolette Street the event at Tofts Chase, Little Baddow, will also feature a cake and canapé stall, BBQ, and smoothie bar.
For information and to purchase tickets go to www.sanctus-home.com
