For those who don’t already know her, or who would like to learn more about her, we would like to introduce our wonderful Community Kitchen & Warm Space Coordinator, Diana.

Diana has been part of the Community Kitchen & Warm Space project since its inception, working with our trustees to develop a programme that could help address the cost-of-living crisis as it affects Camden residents. When the project came up three years ago, she had to work around the pre-existing programmes and rentals to carve out a space at SPCA. However, anybody who has come in on a Tuesday or Thursday evening knows that her work was more than worth that effort. As a result, Community Kitchen & Warm Space is attended by up to 45 people each night, and has been recognised by the Camden Faith & Belief Awards.

Diana’s primary focus during the early stages of the programme was dual-purpose: she wanted to both alleviate the cost of living by providing a free meal, but extend the benefits of the programme back to members’ homes by teaching healthy and cost-effective recipes.

Over the past few years, she has led sessions to inspire our local at-home chefs to develop their food skills and take on a thoughtful and healthy approach, not just ‘quick and convenient’. She’s shared that these lessons inspire members to come up with new ideas in the kitchen that expand their meal options without requiring new, more expensive ingredients.

These lessons are collaborative, and members are invited to bring in their own recipes to teach the group. After enough weekly sessions had passed, Diana had made enough meals to put together a recipe box, with instructions that members can take home and prepare for themselves and their families. Each of these recipes provides dinner for a family of four for £10 or less. One member shared that she contributed a recipe for potato chutney so that other parents can make a low-effort, low-cost meal at home.

In addition to providing meals and recipes, Community Kitchen has different activities that help keep both children and adults entertained and occupied. Diana often brings in materials for crafts – in the past, they’ve made bracelets, clay bowls, decorated tote bags, painted stones, designed carnival masks, and even put on a fashion show.

These activities provide structure and entertainment, but they are more than this: they facilitate meaningful conversations, promoting the community in Community Kitchen & Warm Space. By creating an environment that attends to all ages, Diana’s space enables intergenerational relationships to develop; the benefits are especially strong for elders in the community who live alone and struggle with social isolation and loneliness.

The connection between members is especially important for Diana. To her, the beauty of a community centre is its ability to bring people from all walks of life together, and to ensure that everybody has a place where they truly feel seen and cared for. She works diligently to break down social, cultural and generational barriers. She shared her belief that every single member who walks in is a distinct individual, who may come with their own story and challenges, but deserve to feel welcome and respected all the same. By creating this warm and safe environment for everyone, Community Kitchen & Warm Space has attracted community members of all different backgrounds and circumstances.

Diana leads in demonstrating what an upstanding community member looks like by going above and beyond in her support, being a resource for everyone who walks in. Whether a member is struggling with food vouchers, literacy, navigating the medical system, managing their utilities, or understanding their housing options, Diana is there to see through the problem with community members: that is what community means to her.

She also noted that the centre supports healthier relationships within family units by giving everyone more physical space. She ensures that the space is full of movement and play so that kids living in cramped housing without room to release their energy can take up the room they need, and parents have space to relax, decompress, and connect with other parents.

A group of young children leaning on a metal table with boxes of board games in front of them, as well as a metal bowl.

Diana accredits her strong value in community to a woman named Rosie D, who took it upon herself to bring together neighbours in Diana’s local Islington neighbourhood as a child. She spoke warmly about Rosie’s drive: ‘she knocked on every single door to ask for a pound to hire a coach to go to the seaside or throw a block party or hire a photographer’. Like Diana, Rosie made a point to ensure that every person in their community was a part of the collective, felt welcome, and knew they had a home there, regardless of their individual background.

Rosie’s legacy guides Diana’s approach to working with children and families in Community Kitchen & Warm Space. She hopes to teach the next generation to continue moving through the world without judgment of the people around them and with the courage to accept them into their community, replicating the same values that Rosie instilled in her.

She recognises that a crucial part of her intergenerational project is fighting against despondence and apathy. She intervenes in people’s attitudes towards their own lives and options, encouraging them to see the power they hold as individuals and as a supported member of a community that can enact change together. From giving people inexpensive recipes to demonstrate the ability to be creative in the kitchen in an affordable way, to encouraging creativity by organising a fashion show with children’s own designs, Diana sees that nobody needs to be defined by their circumstances. Her labour is to make sure that everyone sees themselves and the people in their community that way.

A young girl with a long blonde plait stands facing away from the camera, in a queue with other children. She wears a white t-shirt with the words ‘I am who I am and I AM ENOUGH’ drawn on the back in purple.

Community Kitchen & Warm Space works in partnership with FoodCycle on Tuesdays, who provide ingredients and volunteer cooks.

A group of volunteers in a catering kitchen stand preparing food and wear aprons and blue hairnets. In the foreground, a woman is mixing salsa in a big metal bowl, with a bowl of guacamole beside it.

On Thursdays, food preparation is led by a cook. If you or someone you know may be interested in joining this amazing project, please check out our job posting for a new cook. We are also recruiting volunteers to support the project.

Community Kitchen & Warm Space is hosted every Tuesday and Thursday, from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM, by Diana.