The Umbrella Centre provides opportunities to those with mental health and learning difficulties.
Kristin Hawthorne reports.
Kristin Hawthorne reports.
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00:00The Umbrella Centre in Canterbury has been offering meals at a low price to those in the community for many years.
00:05They're one of the few places open on Christmas Day to give these homemade meals.
00:09Today, however, it's not a traditional Christmas meal, but a Kentish one, fish and chips.
00:15It's been running for 40 years and supports hundreds every one of those years,
00:19and in recent months the numbers have only been increasing.
00:22They say it's crucial for those suffering with mental health, especially around this time of year,
00:27and for those with learning difficulties, to find comfort and a sense of belonging at the centre.
00:31It's totally inclusive, it's a safe space and everybody's welcome.
00:36And the great thing is that we've got the whole community behind us,
00:39we've got lots of people who are donating to us, which helps me in the kitchen,
00:43so we can give subsidised meals and we're really helping lots of people.
00:47We do a food bank, which is really necessary at the moment.
00:50Everyone who works here, including the volunteers, are offered a range of opportunities that are difficult to find elsewhere.
00:56I say this is a good place for people to come if they're lonely, need to talk to someone.
01:02Basically, if you're lonely and you want to chat to anyone, we're here for support to chat with.
01:08Sometimes I work in the kitchen, I work in the kitchen, mostly Wednesdays,
01:14and I work down here sometimes, sometimes I work upstairs.
01:18Basically, I work everywhere in this building.
01:20They extend the welcoming atmosphere to those from different circumstances as well,
01:24such as those from the Ukrainian community.
01:27Two and a half years ago, when they came to the UK,
01:34they were in depression because they were not working anywhere, they were sitting at home,
01:41so we decided to organise this club for them.
01:44Umbrella Centre gave this room.
01:50For some people, finding a warm, friendly place with a hot meal can be difficult.
01:54And while the cost of food is rising, something like a Christmas meal may stretch budgets just too far.
02:00Well, Christmas Day, we have a day next Tuesday, we'll be setting all the tables up,
02:06we'll put Christmas crackers, we've got presents.
02:09It's going to be really wonderful, we've got a wonderful Christmas tree,
02:12we're going to have a choir singing here.
02:14We're working in harmony with the Ukrainian community.
02:18From the short time I've spent here, I have seen just how popular the service really is
02:23and how vital people like this are for the community, especially during Christmas.
02:27Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV in Canterbury.