TRUST WATER TEAMS UP WITH REFETTORIO FELIX AT ST CUTHBERTS
Trust Water was launched in 2020 with 100% of net profits from every bottle sold being donated to The Drinks Trust. Still and sparkling variants of British spring water from the beautiful Herefordshire countryside are available in a range of Trust Water bottles, from glass and recycled PET, to lightweight refillable aluminium. Founders Mark Bickerton and Richard Bailey are urging the drinks industry to rally behind Trust Water to help provide care and support for colleagues through the association with The Drinks Trust.
This month, Trust Water have announced a special partnership with Refettorio Felix. In normal times, Refettorio Felix opens its doors five days a week to those within their community who find themselves in a position of vulnerability and isolation. The dedicated team serve their guests a three course meal made entirely from surplus food, which would otherwise go in to landfill. Trust Water bottles will be handed out to guests alongside excellent meals prepared by the Refettorio Felix team.
Refettorio Felix also offer services such as mental health consultations, housing advice, complimentary therapies, a nurse and many clubs and groups such as art, mend and make, book club etc. Guests are able to use special laundry facilities, have a shower, engage with others and become part of the community. There is also a professional culinary skills workshop to help guest get back into work.
In response to the current government guidelines, Refettorio Felix are serving the same three course meal to their guests, however, guests now queue up outside to receive their meal in the safest way possible. Other services such as mental health provision have been moved online and via telephone consultation, however there is an on-site nurse and Glassdoor providing housing advice. The number of guests visiting daily has grown, from a daily average of 80 in ‘normal’ times up to currently 150 per day.
During the height of the pandemic last year, over 800 meals per day were served, including meals provided for other services such as age UK, SMART, NHS and other external organisations. The team at Refettorio Felix have been extremely fortunate to have a large engaged, committed and a supportive volunteer base who are cooking, serving and packing the food. There has also been a wonderful amount of support from companies and food suppliers ensuring that they have sufficient top quality, varied and nutritious surplus food to cook for guests.
Before the pandemic, Refettorio Felix hosted a number of fundraising events at the centre, but in line with the current government guidelines, they are currently unable to hold any until further notice which obviously has had an impact on fundraising abilities during this time. At the end of last year, the "Friends of Refettorio Felix" scheme was launched, whereby supporters can sign up to give it a monthly donation. This enables the charity to better forecast income through their fundraising channel. The scheme has proved very popular and the dedicated team are looking to increase the number of people getting involved. To become a Friend of Refettorio Felix, please click here and choose to make a monthly donation from £10.
Email: volunteers@stcuthbertscentre.org.uk
Facebook: @RefettorioFelix | Instagram: @refettoriofelix
Tel: +44 020 7835 1389
