Bishop Helen-Ann joined the regular Friday communal lunch at The Seven Bridges Café this afternoon as local organisations, volunteers and community members came together to mark the end of Refugee Week and explore how greater collaboration can benefit communities across Newcastle, particularly refugees and people seeking asylum.
Hosted by The Seven Bridges Café, the gathering provided an opportunity for conversation, connection and reflection, bringing together people from a wide range of backgrounds around a shared table.
Located within Dance City on Temple Street in the heart of Newcastle, just a short distance from Central Station, The Seven Bridges Café is a unique partnership between Dance City and the West End Refugee Service (WERS). Described as a “world kitchen”, the café uses great food and hospitality as a starting point for meaningful conversations, cultural exchange and community building.
The initiative was launched during Refugee Week 2024 and, now two years on, continues to provide a vibrant and inclusive space that celebrates diversity, strengthens community connections and creates volunteering opportunities for refugees and people seeking asylum.
The café was established with a vision of creating a welcoming space in the centre of Newcastle that reflects the city’s rich diversity. As a recognised City of Sanctuary, Newcastle has a long tradition of welcoming refugees and people seeking asylum from around the world. Through the partnership with WERS, the café offers volunteer placements for individuals who are unable to work while their asylum applications are being processed, enabling them to share their skills, gain experience and become part of a supportive community.
Working closely with Head Chef Archie Smith, the menu is regularly updated to reflect the culinary traditions, techniques and cultures of its volunteer team. The result is a menu inspired by cuisines from around the world, showcasing the talents and stories of the people who help create it.
The partnership offers placements in both kitchen and front-of-house roles, providing opportunities to develop skills, build confidence and gain valuable experience that can serve as a stepping stone towards future employment. By highlighting the rich culinary contributions of its volunteers, The Seven Bridges Café not only celebrates cultural diversity but also helps participants enhance existing skills and acquire new ones.
As Refugee Week draws to a close, those gathered reflected on the importance of continued partnership working across the voluntary, faith and community sectors to ensure Newcastle remains a welcoming city where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and belong.
Bishop Helen-Ann said: “There is something profoundly significant about sharing a meal together. Today’s conversations ranged from deeply personal stories of seeking asylum to discussions about football and the World Cup. It was a powerful reminder that community is built through listening, sharing and recognising our common humanity. The Seven Bridges Café offers a wonderful example of how food, friendship and opportunity can bring people together and enrich the life of our city.”
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