We’re always looking to shine a light on some of the amazing charity and voluntary organisations in our network that contributes so much to people’s lives and engage the wider community. We are proud to be working with such caring and forward-thinking organisations that make such a difference. So we are shining a spotlight on Hot Pots Cafe in Cambridge and the fantastic work they do in the local community.

Who are Hot Pots Cafe?

Despite the effects of the pandemic being felt across the country and many local businesses continuing to struggle, Hot Pots cafe in Cambridgeshire has managed to navigate these difficult waters and go from strength to strength.

Hot Pots cafe opened in 2018 and has had a tremendous impact on the local community, the people who make use of the business and those that volunteer there. The cafe focuses on helping people with learning difficulties by supporting them to develop essential skills for later life. Volunteers at the Cafe help prepare food and serve customers, so gaining valuable work experience, confidence and the skills that are useful for future employment. Offering a range of tasty snacks and treats from cakes, coffees, paninis, to toasties and jacket potatoes, the cafe also benefits the local community who enjoy coming in for a cuppa and a chat.

Kayleigh Dring, Employment Skills Worker for Cambridgeshire County Council said -“Despite having to close between March and September last year due to the Covid restrictions we’ve gone from strength to strength. We’ve been overwhelmed with the support from the local community for the takeaway and delivery service, something the staff worked together to develop so that we could stay open during the last lockdown “it was such a success we’ve decided to carry it on. The cafe is so important to the volunteers that come here and provides a real opportunity for them to develop their skills and confidence.”

Cambridgeshire County Council’s Chair of Adults Committee, Councillor Anna Bailey, said:

Since it opened in 2018, the cafe has grown from having three volunteers to 12 and gone from being open one day a week to five usually. We are so pleased it is managing to continue to operate and provide opportunities to people and we continue to work with Tempo Time Credits Cambridgeshire to reward them for their hard work.

What do volunteers think?

The impact the cafe has had on people with learning difficulties has been essential for these people to develop and learn the skills needed to obtain employment in later life and being able to offer people volunteer opportunities through lockdown has been a massive boost for everyone involved.

“I enjoy working here, it’s helped my confidence and I look forward to coming. I have learnt new skills that I can now do at home and hope to use if I get a job.”

“I really enjoy working at the cafe, it has helped get me out of the house, it has especially helped during these times, and I never want to stop working here.”

Where can I find Hot Pots Cafe?

You can usually find Hot Pots Cafe at March Community Centre in Cambridge open 5 days a week but due to the latest COVID-19 restrictions, the guys at Hot Pots Cafe can now be found temporarily at March Town Cricket Club open for 2/3 days a week. Make sure to check their Facebook page to see the latest opening times and dates before visiting. 

Read more about Hot Pots Cafe here. Or if you are interested in becoming a Tempo Time Credit charity and voluntary organisation, contact us here.