The Coffee Club Initiative Nourishing Community

“Food is not just fuel. Food is about family, food is about community, food is about identity. And we nourish all those things when we eat well.” – Michael Pollan

The Coffee Club at Pendle Hill Retirement Community has been a place for Residents to gather, enjoy conversation, coffee and company for over 10 years. Over time, it has grown in popularity and become a place for Residents to share food with each other.

Now, thanks to the work done by Jared Naidoo, Impact Funding Facilitator, and in collaboration with Donna Gauci, Community Manager at Pendle Hill, it could become a beacon of community spirit and cultural exchange, bringing together Residents in a warm and inclusive environment.

Jared began looking into the possibility of acquiring some funding to help Donna with this initiative. “A big part of my role here at Fresh Hope Communities is resourcing projects that yield the financial and/or social value. Sometimes, resourcing can look like government or private grants and other times it’s through pursuing creative means of generating income.

“Most grant providers like to fund projects that already exist as it shows we are committed to our cause; this is colloquially referred to as ‘skin in the game’ to funders. Through getting to know various Community Managers across Fresh Hope Communities, I learned that we most certainly have ‘skin in the game’ via the multiple activities we offer Residents that help create that sense of belonging and places that feel like home.

“From the first conversation with Donna Gauci, Community Manager at Pendle Hill Retirement Community, it was evident that she goes above and beyond to make her Residents feel like they belong, and the Coffee Club naturally came up as an extension of that belonging. The significance was not lost, and as a resident-favourite activity, the demand takes a lot of effort to put together. Funding a project like this should make a Community Manager’s life easier. So I needed to find a funder that valued what we value – cue Cumberland City Council’s Community Participation grant,” Jared concludes.

The grant which provides funding for one year, describes the aim of the Coffee Club as to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness among Residents by providing regular opportunities for socialisation. Weekly coffee mornings and monthly cultural food sharing events will serve as the perfect setting for Residents to come together, share stories, and build lasting friendships. These gatherings are more than just social events; they offer a sense of belonging and emotional support, at a stage of life that can increasingly become quiet and isolated.

The program also aims to promote mutual respect and understanding among individuals from diverse backgrounds. Monthly themed culinary events will highlight different cultures, allowing Residents to explore and appreciate the rich tapestry of traditions within their community. This not only enriches the Residents’ lives but also fosters a deeper sense of unity and harmony.

Donna Gauci agrees. “This is something new for them, specifically to enhance the various cultures, and anything involving food usually brings people together. I am hoping it will add a new level of excitement, and while the Residents who attend really do love coming each week to Coffee Club in general, I am also hoping it might attract a few more Residents.”

Ebony Hindle, Community Engagement Manager and Donna, led the consultation process with the residents. She reflected, “Working with Donna and the residents was a powerful example of valuing and listening in action. Donna’s consistent dedication to fostering trust and connection, through initiatives like Coffee Club, creates a space for growing participation, ownership, and a sense of belonging. It’s exciting to see the council support this initiative, demonstrating that the voices, connection, health and wellbeing of the residents truly matter. And that they are willing to resource it.”

Residents shared with her about it with enthusiasm. “One resident told me, ‘We get to know each other,’ and another expressed, ‘It’s uplifting, always a happy atmosphere.’ Another added, ‘It helps us keep an eye out for each other. I really appreciate the effort behind it.’”

With a strong emphasis on community engagement, Residents will be actively involved in the planning and execution of events, giving them a sense of ownership and responsibility, which in turn gives them the opportunity to feel valued and integral to the success of the initiative.

Inclusivity is also a key objective of the Coffee Club. The program is designed to be accessible to all Residents, including older people, individuals with disabilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The program also actively invites participation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, celebrating their cultural practices and foods.

The benefits of the Coffee Club extend beyond the Residents of Pendle Hill Retirement Community. By collaborating with local cultural groups and organisations, the program will strengthen community ties and support networks. It showcases the diversity and inclusivity of the Cumberland community, highlighting it as a welcoming and vibrant place to live.

At heart, it’s a celebration of cultural diversity and community. Through shared meals, meaningful interactions, and active participation, the program will create a vibrant, inclusive environment where Residents feel connected, valued, and supported, fuelling not just bodies, but nourishing community.