Volunteering

Café 1759 wouldn’t be what it is without the people who give their time, energy and care to make it run every day

Our amazing volunteers are the lifeblood of the café and it’s thanks to them that so many of our projects are possible. By volunteering you can help to shape our offer, listening to our customers and acting upon what we hear is what we’re all about. So, we say a big Thank You!

Our volunteers help with everything from:

• Baking our cakes and sweet treats
• Keeping the café clean and compliant with food safety regulations
• Managing stock levels and deliveries at our community pantry
• Creating a friendly, safe space for all
• Supporting one another to ensure we have strong team
• Listening to customers so we can suggest where to make improvements

If you’d like to be part of the Café 1759 family, get in touch! Volunteering can be a great way to meet people, build confidence, and gain skills – all while giving something back to your community. Just ask one of the team to find out more or contact Lottie Levin, Cafe Manager at cafe.1759@abri.co.uk or by calling 01420 555970.

Jonathan's story – Café 1759 Baker

Jonathan has become a valued member of the volunteer team at Café 1759, bringing not only his excitement for baking but also a genuine passion for learning and meeting others.

Jonathan enjoys volunteering because it gives him a space to explore recipes and improve his baking craft. He’s particularly fond of making cakes and has found joy in experimenting with ingredients and getting creative with what’s available each day. This hands-on experience has allowed him to learn new recipes and develop skills that he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to gain otherwise. This has helped Jonathan have the confidence to apply for jobs in the catering industry.

Volunteering at the café has also had a big impact on Jonathan’s wellbeing. He shared that if he weren’t involved at Café 1759, he would likely be spending most of his time indoors at home. The café has provided him with a sense of purpose and a welcoming environment where he can thrive. One of the highlights of his year has been meeting new people and building relationships with both fellow volunteers and staff members.

Looking ahead, Jonathan is excited to expand his knowledge by making different types of baked goods. His creativity, dedication, and positive energy make him an important part of Café 1759.

Julia’s story: Discovering new skills through volunteering

Julia, a 14‑year‑old student at Oakmoor Secondary School in Bordon, is currently completing her Duke of Edinburgh Award in Year 9. As part of the Award, students take on three areas of development: Physical, Skills and Volunteering.

When Julia’s dad, who works at Abri, asked whether she could volunteer at Café 1759, the team were more than happy to support her. She has been volunteering with the café every Saturday since March and has quickly become part of the team.

Julia says: “My duties include clearing tables, general cleaning, washing up, drying and putting things away - and today I learnt how to use the till. This has been a completely new experience for me as I haven’t worked in a workplace environment before, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve learnt how people work, and I can see this being a good part‑time job in the future. The Café 1759 team have been really helpful.”

Julia’s experience shows how volunteering can build confidence, develop practical skills and open the door to future opportunities.

If you’re interested in volunteering at Café 1759 or supporting our community events, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Cafe.1759@abri.co.uk for more information.

The feedback we’ve had from volunteers shows just how much being involved in the pantry and café means to them. For some, it’s about connection and getting out of the house, seeing people, and feeling part of something. For others, it’s the sense of purpose that comes from knowing they’re helping others and making a difference.

Whether it’s baking cakes, chatting with customers, or stocking the pantry shelves, these small acts of kindness have a big impact. And it’s not just on the people who receive support, but on the volunteers themselves. It has boosted their confidence to go on and apply for new jobs in catering, it’s created community and brought a sense of pride.