Carpenters Café is a community initiative dedicated to supporting the homeless and vulnerable populations in Stratford, Newham and the surrounding areas. We were founded in 2007 by Tee Fabikun BEM, in partnership with Carpenters Estate TMO, Trinity Chapel Church and our first ever partner: Pret A Manger.
In addition to providing basic necessities, Carpenters Café prioritises the holistic well-being of our end users and their continuous personal development, including the importance of promoting health and wellness among individuals facing adversity. We also partner with other organisations and individuals to provide basic IT skills programmes, such as IT training for domestic abuse survivors and AI training. We work with others to provide health and well-being activities too, including health checks.
Since our inception we have been steadfast in our mission to provide our end users with essentials of donated food, utilities and clothing. Over the years, and specifically during the pandemic, we continued to operate a weekly food bank, which ensured that essential sustenance reached individuals and families facing food insecurity during uncertain times.
The service we provide was recognised with the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2023. This award is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our volunteers. We also want to recognise the brilliant partnerships we have formed over the years with various organisations. Together, our volunteers and our partners are what let us have a positive impact on our surrounding communities.
Recognition
King’s Award for Voluntary Service, 2023
The UK’s highest award for volunteer groups, given in recognition of our volunteers’ hard work and the partnerships that make our work possible.
