Leadgate church honoured for outstanding contribution to community

A Salvation Army café that provides more than 80 meals a week has been honoured with a Red Kite Award for its outstanding contribution to the community. 

Run by a team of volunteers, Leadgate Salvation Army’s Nice Bites Café runs every Tuesday at the church and charity in Green Street, providing an affordable meal and company to help tackle isolation in the community.  

Not only providing a two-course meal for £4 at the church hall, its team also delivers meals to local sheltered accommodation. 

The Red Kite Awards, set up by the MP for Blaydon and Consett, Liz Twist, honour those who are making a real difference. Ms Twist recently mentioned Leadgate Salvation Army in parliament. 

Volunteers Clare and Liz said: “We’re delighted to have been nominated because it was somebody in the community that put us forward. We still don’t know who it was, but thank you because it means a lot to all of the volunteers. It was a shock getting a mention in parliament because at that point we’d not received the letter saying we’d been nominated! 

“Nice Bites café is open on a Tuesday lunchtime. We do around 80 covers with a main course costing £3 and a dessert for £1 with people coming and sitting in the hall or having takeaways. We also deliver to the local sheltered accommodation. Keeping it affordable is key to ensure we support as many in our community as possible. 

“We meet such lovely people every week who come as much for the company and chat as the food. Everyone gets a personal welcome, and they stay for a good couple of hours, nobody is in a hurry to go. On every table you hear laughter and chatter. 

“Our volunteers make the point of speaking to everyone, especially if they are having a tough time. Having a five-minute chat with someone can make all the difference.

“We always keep in mind Matthew 25:35 - For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.’

“It’s a huge team effort and we couldn’t do it without all of the volunteers, so thank you very much to all of those who give their time each week.” 

The team were honoured at a special awards ceremony held earlier this month at Citizens House in Consett.