A charity café in Swindon has celebrated its first birthday.

Kell's Kitchen, at Pinetrees Community Centre, Pinehurst, marked the occasion with live music, a raffle, and free cupcakes for the community.

The café is part of The Kelly Foundation, a charity supporting people with mental health issues in the area.

The foundation was set up in memory of BBC journalist Kelly Jobanputra, who took her own life in 2019 after struggling to find mental health support and to cope with the death of her brother, Corrie.

Kell's Kitchen provides a meeting place for people to socialise, join workshops, or even volunteer behind the counter.

The café has 24 volunteers and two part-time staff, serving up all-day breakfasts, hot sandwiches, and a children's menu.

Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Imtiyaz Shaikh, said: "Happy first birthday to Kell's Kitchen.

"It's wonderful to see this charity café thriving and making a positive impact on our community.

"The dedication and hard work of the volunteers, who are all living with learning disabilities or mental health problems, is truly inspiring."

There were plenty of raffle prizesThere were plenty of raffle prizes (Image: The Kelly Foundation)

The Kelly Foundation's chairman, John Stooke, who founded the charity in memory of his children Kelly and Corrie, also praised the community's support.

He said: "I’m very proud of the way both the community has taken to us, and we have created solid outreach into the community.

"We are not professional caterers and some of those who support us in this venture are at a huge disadvantage, but I like to think we are akin to a family.

"When things occasionally go wrong, we rally around and support each other, with our customers showing understanding, patience and huge goodwill."

Emma Rees, the foundation's chief operating officer, highlighted the importance of the café to the community.

She said: "To be able to provide a community café is an amazing opportunity for us.

"It not only creates purpose for the service users, but it also creates a way of bringing people together to socialise and make friends.

"We have lots of customers who would be socially isolated if they didn't have the café."

The café holds a lunch club every Thursday, offering a two-course meal for £5.50, and a monthly raffle.

The proceeds from the raffle at the birthday celebration will go towards providing therapy for those recovering from mental health issues.

For more information about Kell's Kitchen and The Kelly Foundation, visit The Kelly Foundation's website.

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