News - From grassroots kindness to lasting change in Chester

Soul Kitchen and The Townhouse in Chester have started an exciting new partnership, working together to run a community café and provide a wide range of development opportunities for Soul Kitchen members.

In 2015, a group of friends in Chester grew increasingly concerned by the rising number of people sleeping rough on the city’s streets.

Frustrated by inaction and driven by empathy, they set up a few tables on Hoole Way roundabout, known locally as the magic roundabout, and brought hot homemade meals to share.

The word quickly spread, more people came and volunteers followed. What began as an informal act of kindness evolved into Soul Kitchen, a registered charity still run entirely by volunteers.

Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) guided the group through incorporation, offering governance advice, volunteer training, food-hygiene instruction, and help navigating funding. With CWVA’s support, Soul Kitchen secured £12,000 and received over 24 hours of dedicated guidance.

Now based at Campbell Hall, it offers food, showers, warmth, and friendship.

The new Sunset Café, launched in partnership with The Townhouse, channels profits into this mission, restoring dignity and delivering lasting change.

Steven Hesketh, Owner of The Townhouse, said: “I think the support that people have locally for Soul Kitchen is credit to them.

“It’s a no-brainer for us to partner with them, tap into their extended family and, likewise, they’re tapping into our extended family.”

Ibrahim, Team Member at Soul Kitchen, added: “I have a language barrier but, with the people here, I really don’t feel it because they’re so understanding and help me with my confidence.

“I’m adapting to everything so quickly and, every day, I’m learning so many things.”

Katie Laing, Trustee at Soul Kitchen, commented: “It’s more than just food – it’s about the food being a connection to getting to know people.

“That whole partnership working is so vital to what we do and all the other organisations in Chester.”

Food groups like Soul Kitchen are linked to the West Cheshire Food Partnership, which helps put a clear plan in place so everyone in communities can access the food support they need.

The Food Partnership brings together people and organisations from across the local food system and focuses on areas like school and early years’ food, community growing, links to mental health, community food security and more.

If you’d like to find out more about the Food Partnership or engage with future events and meetings, please email: rebecca.story@cwva.org.uk.