Volunteers to serve ACE lunch at community café
A Rutherglen nursery is opening its doors to anyone who would benefit from some company and a home-cooked meal this festive season.
A not-for-profit community café, which operates on the second Saturday of every month at ACE Place Nursery & Out of School Care, is hosting a free Christmas lunch from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, at its Rodger Drive facility.
The café provides a volunteering opportunity for staff and young people from Stonelaw and Cathkin High schools who are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award.
On offer will be soup, Christmas lunch with all the trimmings, hot drinks and warm mince pies. The event is open to anyone who is homeless, feels lonely or isolated, or for whatever reason would not otherwise be able to enjoy a hearty Christmas lunch and some friendly company.
ACE Place director Alison Harkins said:“We feel very fortunate to be working with children and families in our community and know how important it is to feel included at this time of year.”
Those who attend the monthly community café have been making small donations to ACE Place’s appeal to raise cash for two defibrillators – one outside its premises and another at its Scout Hall-based nursery in Crawfurd Road.
Their donations, together with proceeds from a recent Christmas fair, have raised around £1000.
But Alison is keen to point out that Saturday’s lunch is unconnected to the appeal and added: “We do not want anyone to feel that there is a need to make a donation.
“Through this and the community café, we are just keen to give something back to the community and create volunteering opportunities for young people and, as part of our wellbeing assessment, it is nice for staff to be doing something for other people.”
For more information about the event, please contact Alison on 07740 575772.