Food, friendship and fun at Tooting Community Kitchen

When trained chef Darren first came to Tooting Community Kitchen, he was homeless and struggling.

Seeing a leaflet for free food was a turning point, and the start of a six-year journey with the charity.

“I don’t know where I’d be without it,” says Darren, 52, who now cooks up a storm for one of Tooting Community Kitchen’s weekly lunchtime clubs. “I was homeless myself and came when I saw a leaflet for free food on a Saturday night.

“One day I said I’d love to come and volunteer, and it has given me purpose. It keeps me going.”

Launched in 2018 with a handful of volunteers outside Tooting Market on a Saturday night sharing hot food and drinks for anyone in need, the charity has grown dramatically.

Mayor of Wandsworth's charities

As one of Wandsworth Mayor Sana Jafri’s three chosen charities for the year, Tooting Community Kitchen is supported alongside Home-Start Wandsworth and Rackets Cubed.

Still serving the homeless and vulnerable freshly prepared hot meals at twice-weekly stalls outside Tooting Islamic Centre in Upper Tooting Road, the charity has expanded to include a food bank, Clapham-based soup kitchen, and weekly community activities. 

More than 50 regular volunteers welcome guests to be part of the warm and inclusive environment, with sessions including arts and crafts, games, singing and dancing held on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Scout Hut in Tooting’s Church Lane.For 68-year-old Elaine, the group “has really helped” support her.

“It means I’m not on my own,” she says. “I’ve been coming for about two years and I like to keep busy and be creative with other people.”

Originally finding out about the food bank, Elaine soon started attending the Monday and Wednesday community club.

“I was really isolated because I had been in hospital for a long time,” she explains. “I suffer with anxiety, trauma and depression and it’s really helped coming here because I’m not on my own. It can just creep up on you, so coming somewhere like this really helps.”

Open door

With an open door for those in need to come along, Tooting Community Kitchen has recently shared workshops focused on the cost of living and cooking on a budget.

The practical and emotional support helps hundreds of community members each year, highlights team leader Amanda Greetham, pointing out "sometimes this is the only hot meal they can get through the week”.

Volunteer Noreen Arshad adds: “It works both ways, as we also learn from our interactions with the people who come here. I get the reward of contributing something to the community.”

Find out more by visiting Tooting Community Kitchen's website.