Refettorio Felix: A Heartfelt Visit from the Felix Project
Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming Clare Notley, the Volunteer Manager from the Felix Project, to Refettorio Felix. During her visit, Clare had the chance to meet our team, learn about our services, and see first-hand the impact we’re making together. She was kind enough to write about her experience, and we’re excited to share her wonderful words with you. Here's what Clare had to say about her time at Refettorio Felix:
“Refettorio Felix is one of the Felix Project's community partners; it’s a drop-in centre and community kitchen serving vulnerable people in Earl’s Court and beyond. They have an open-door policy, welcoming without judgement anyone struggling with a wide variety of issues, such as homelessness, loneliness, substance abuse and mental health difficulties.
I went along this week to see the work they are doing and chat to some of the staff about their services.
Refettorio is based in St Cuthberts Centre next door to St Cuthberts Church in Earl's Court. Refottorio was set up in 2017 in a collaboration with Chef Massimo Bottura’s non-profit Food For Soul, to offer restaurant quality food. The refectory style dining room allows service users to have a sit-down lunch so that they can benefit from eating together, making friends and finding refuge. The ethos behind the service is dining with dignity.
Felix delivers to Refettorio Felix twice each week and the food we provide helps the team at Refettorio to deliver 130 meals each day. Georgia, one of the Head Co-Chefs explained that the kitchen is ultimately aiming for zero waste, using every scrap of food supplied to make chutneys and pickles.
Refettorio not only offers restaurant-quality food; Tina, the Metal Health Services Coordinator, helps to support the counselling services, art group and complementary therapy services at the drop-in and she is currently looking at introducing other health and wellbeing services. As well as Mental Health Services, Refettorio works in partnership with Glass Door, a homelessness project which offers 121 case work and referral to legal aid services.
Refettorio Felix Staff with West London Felix Volunteers, Roger and Simone.
We’re incredibly grateful for Clare's visit and her reflections on the work we’re doing here at Refettorio Felix. Our partnership with the one with the Felix Project makes it possible for us to continue supporting our community. Thank you to Clare and the entire Felix Project team for their ongoing support!
