Wantage Methodist Community Drop-in Cafe
A free Monday morning drop-in at Wantage Methodist Church hall: coffee, home-made cake, jigsaws, games and books
A welcoming space every Monday morning
Wantage Methodist Church launched its Community Drop-In Cafe in April 2019. It runs every Monday morning, including bank holidays, from 9am to 12 noon in the church hall on Newbury Street, Wantage, OX12 8DA, just off the Market Square.
There is a welcome, coffee, home-made cakes and people to chat with. As the church puts it, it is not a coffee morning, just a welcoming social space for all ages and all abilities: for everyone.
There is no charge. Any donations go to a charity, and in the past the cafe has sent donations to local, national and small charities that support people in developing countries.
What you'll find
Drop in for as long as you like between 9am and 12 noon on a Monday. Some people come occasionally, others most weeks.
Coffee and a welcome
A friendly welcome and a hot drink when you arrive.
Home-made cakes
Cakes are home-made.
Company
People to chat with, whether you come alone or with friends.
Jigsaws and games
A few regulars work on a jigsaw puzzle together each week, and other games are available.
Free books
A box of books for people to choose from and take away.
No charge
The cafe is free. Any donations are passed on to a charity.
News from the cafe
The church reports that the cafe continues to be popular. On Easter Monday 30 people dropped in for coffee and home-made cake, and there have been weeks with over 30 people. The cafe has marked regulars' birthdays with a shared cake, including one regular's 90th, and the jigsaw makers regularly complete new puzzles, which the church shares on its news page.
About Wantage Methodist Church
There has been a Methodist presence in Wantage since 1820. The church, just off the Market Square, is part of the Wantage and Abingdon Methodist Circuit. The circuit is a registered charity (number 1132995) that supports its churches with planning, staff, training and administration. The minister is Revd Bruce Thompson, who joined the circuit on 1 September 2023.
The church has an induction loop for hearing aid users and wheelchair access through the rear of the building. It is registered with Dementia Friends, an initiative of the Alzheimer's Society, and aims to be a safe place for people with dementia and their carers.
Other activities include Knit and Chat, an informal group that meets on the first and third Monday of the month from 2pm to knit and crochet for their own pleasure and for a range of causes, including the angels that have decorated Wantage at Christmas since 2017.
For more about the cafe, ask June Grunwald or Carolyn Roche at the church.
Questions and answers
When is the cafe open?
Every Monday from 9am to 12 noon, including bank holidays.
Where is it?
In the hall of Wantage Methodist Church, Newbury Street, Wantage, OX12 8DA, just off the Market Square.
Does it cost anything?
No. There is no charge, and any donations go to a charity.
Who can come?
Everyone. It is a welcoming social space for all ages and all abilities.
Do I need to book?
No. It is a drop-in, and some people come occasionally while others come most weeks.
Is the church accessible?
The church has an induction loop for hearing aid users and wheelchair access through the rear of the building.
Questions about the cafe?
Contact Wantage Methodist Church through its website, email Revd Bruce Thompson or call 01235 813242.
Meetings
Mondays 9:00-12:00 (including bank holidays)
Mon 12 Oct, 09:00-12:00
Mon 19 Oct, 09:00-12:00
Mon 26 Oct, 09:00-12:00
Wantage Methodist Church hall, Newbury Street, OX12 8DA
All ages
Free (donations to charity)
Drop in
Location
