Community cafe with a family feel is smiles better

“THERE was a TV show called Cheers, where all the staff cheered your name when you came in - we don’t quite do that but it’s important to know some- body's name,’ said Daniel Mandley.

- ROBSON McCALLISTER

The pastor at OIKOS Church was speaking at the cafe of the same name, OIKOS, the meaning for family/household in Ancient Greek.

And the church cafe on Erdington High Street want you to feel like family when you enter, even if it’s just remembering your name.

The cafe is made up of volunteers and part-time staff who work to provide a warm and friendly community hub.

Daniel said: “We want to be more than a cafe and offer love and support for people. Whether that be a warm hello all the way down to having a conversation with someone and having someone listen to you.

“A space where older people perhaps feel isolated and we can spend time with them as a person who has struggles and issues like we all do.