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Community garden open from May 3rd

Monday: 9am - 4pm
Tuesday: 9am - 4pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 9am - 4pm
Saturday: 9am - 4pm
Sunday: Closed

Walk-ins and booking available: e-mail talk@theumbrellacafe.co.uk to book a garden table

JANUARY-2021-infographic-mini-evaluation-

The Umbrella Cafe CIC.
Find us inside Whitstable Umbrella Centre!
Enter via the yellow side doors.
Oxford Street, Whitstable Kent CT5 1DD - find us.

Phone: 07518 065801

Welcome to The Umbrella Café CIC, Whitstable

Our community cafe, social kitchen and project spaces all exist for the same purpose; to reduce social isolation, food poverty and food waste in our local area. We run not for profit and are accountable to our community. Four days a week we throw open our doors to welcome all in for lunches, home-made cakes and drinks. We have a gorgeous community garden, a cosy Cafe space and both are fully accessible. We welcome friendly dogs on leads. Behind the scenes we are funded to help us deliver our social impact by The National Lottery and Kent Community Foundation. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon. Come and grab a coffee and see what we have to offer.

Google Map of The Umbrella Cafe, Whitstable

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Sep 19

Love Dancing October 9th : a series of collaborative events between a community cafe and a collective of local DJs.

Join us for dancing. Disco, soul, techno, acid house, hip-hop , jazz & house all have a place.

Full bar : wine / beer / spirits / cocktails/ softs

Early birds sold out. Last tickets remaining on Eventbrite :

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/169615820485

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#allraving #ravingundertheumbrella #umbrellaevents #djevent #myhouse #lovedancing #djcollective #whitstableevent #danceallnight #whitstabledj #whitstabledance #whatsonwhitstable #communitybusiness

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Sep 17

La la la, end of the week doughnuts are back Whitstable!

We've got cosmic cereal milk or chocolate peanut butter baked by @this_girl_can_bake on the counter.

PLUS this beauty of a chocolate orange polenta with coffee ganache, baked by our wonderful volunteer Henry.

All the good stuff for a Friday morning ✌

Come join us 9 - 4 in @whitstableumbrellacentre

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#fridaydoughnuts #homemadedoughnuts #cerealmilkdoughnuts #thisgirlcanbake #theumbrellacafe #webake #supportedvolunteers #polentacake #glutenfreecake #homemadecakes #notforprofitorganisation #whitstablecafe

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Sep 16

It's been fab to chat to some of our volunteers, beneficiaries and customers over the past couple of weeks as we put our 2020 - 2021 impact report together.

In some respects we feel fairly established as a small voluntary organisation, but then we get totally blown away by quotes such as this one. It's wonderful to read these words from one of our regular volunteers.

We're so thankful we are surrounded by engaged and caring people who want to be part of our gang!

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#impactreport #2020impact #smallvoluntaryorganisation #notforprofitorganisation #communitycafe #foodinsecurity #socialisolation #communityengagement #voluntarysupport #volunteers #socialenterprisekent

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Sep 13

Faces behind the social enterprise series continued 👉

Tom joined our energetic troop almost six months ago on the front of house team. We always add into our job specifications that we are after the right person; not just someone who fits into a box.

So whilst extensive barista experience is great, we would much prefer someone who is fantastic with people and can grow their coffee skills as they go. Tom has this in spades. If you've been into the cafe since we reopened you will hopefully have encountered Tom and his incredible breadth of knowledge on a wide array of topics and his ability to speak to everyone on their level.

Tom is brilliant at keeping the kitchen staff fed with laughter and looking after our juniors. He makes a mean flat white and is always happy to chat cake. He does a great sideline in gorgeously curated and hilarious tea-towels & prints that we will exhibit soon.

We feel very lucky that we put out to the universe for staff at a time when it felt like everyone else was doing the same, and landed on our feet with Tom. Lucky us!

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#facesbehindthesocialenterprise #frontofhouseteam #communitycafe #newteam #getinvolved #whitstablecafe #kentcafe #alldaybrunch #veganbrunch #homemadevegansausage #homemadecakes #canterburycafe #notforprofitorganisation

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Sep 12

We haven't had much time to pause this Summer. As a small social enterprise we balance both the business side of our organisation via the cafe and our social impact work via our projects.

That's been challenging post Covid; negotiating new guidance, delivering additional in-house and outreach projects and on-boarding new team members.

Luckily, we are surrounded by some absolute stars, and fortunate to have a fantastic team. It really has taken a town this Summer to bring extra sustainability, vibrancy and joy to our projects. Thank you so much for your support guys; it's mega and we are so appreciative.

Thank you to @stainesfarmshop, @jimsbutchers & @vitastoreswhitstable for supporting our Social Pantry shop with their pay it forwards, @whitproduce and @toysntrends for their holiday based pay it forwards and @vcjoneswhitstable for providing fish & chip vouchers via their pay it forward. Thank you to @rosewoodacres.farm and our local dentist for providing regular donations of eggs & dental products. And thank you to @foodari_ for providing weekly fresh produce at cost price.

All heros in our eyes ✌

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#summerheros #whitstabletogether #unite #payitforward #holidayhunger #outreachprojects #communitycafe #theumbrellacafe #thebestteam #communitybusiness #supportsmall #whitstablecafe #socialenterprise #socialhub #paywhatyoucanmenu

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Sep 10

Two of our directors had a ball last night, at the @publicsectorcatering awards in London.

We were up for the Unsung Hero category, recognising the project work we delivered over Covid and setting up our Social Pantey project as a result.

We didn't win but were very honoured to be a finalist. This recognition is for everyone who was involved and continues to collaborate with our organisation. That's a very long list but we hope we've remembered to tag everyone below 👉

With collaboration and partnerships we are most certainly greater together 💛 thanks everyone !

And we did make the last train home 🙌

@whitstableumbrellacentre
@foodfriendsuk
@whitproduce
@samphire_whitstable
@pearsonsarms
@vcjoneswhitstable
@faresharekent
@stainesfarmshop
@jimsbutchers
@redzebracommsol
@nbrly
@christopher.j.cornell

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#outout #publicsectorrawards #cateringawards #pscawards #pscaawards2021 #unsunghero #covid19support #mealsonwheels #communityovercompetition #communitycafe #charitableorganisation #collaborativeworking

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Sep 8

Last day for our amazing and one of a kind @carolinemumfor1 today. We threw her a party in the garden, with lots of Umbrella favourites and of course Caroline's face everywhere (standard).

It was emotional and we will miss her A LOT.

But herein lies another day and we're also very excited about the future. Stayed tuned in for updates as always.

Thank you to everyone who came to support Caroline today and see her off. Special thanks to @garageroasted for providing super coffee service as their present!

It was gorgeous all round. We're not letting her leave for good, she'll be around for coffees 💛

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#lastday #byebyes #gardenparty #founder #socialenterprisefounder #theumbrellacafe #thebestteam #newbeginnings #notforprofitorganisation #Socent #VO #socialprojects #communitycafe

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Sep 2

New art alert !!

Lovely @_cw_illustrations_ is up on the wall for the month of September.

Come see these super colourful and gorgeous prints any day that we are open this month.

That's every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 9 - 4 👉

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#Newart #artwall #Umbrellaartwall #umbrellacentre #communityartwall #freshartmonthly #whitstableart #kentart2021 #kentartist #localart #shopsmall #theumbrellacafe #Shopbythesea

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Sep 1

talk@hivecoworking.co.uk"<br> <br> .<br> .<br> .<br> .<br> <br> #coworkingwhitstable #communitycentre #underoneroof #whitstablecowork #Whitstablepeople #communitycafe #collaborations #bizneighbours #supportlocallyrun #supportlocal #smallbusinesssupport #neighbours" data-video="" data-carousel="" data-id="sbi_17887366637435101" data-user="theumbrellacafe" data-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTSOU6fM6HW/" data-avatar="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t51.2885-15/123384972_694349577889156_7994454404900507961_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=2&_nc_sid=86c713&_nc_ohc=ePVNWlytUscAX8oSd6K&_nc_ht=scontent.xx&oh=62a6935b80f95cb3010840866a3fcfdb&oe=5FE3AB63" data-account-type="business"> Open

Shout out to our best biz neighbours Hive Co-Working who have some Autumn openings for new members at their gorgeous coworking space.

Hive is also located on the lower ground floor of Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre and we have the pleasure of delivering teas, cakes and brunches to there most days 😀

Here's a few reasons from Hive themselves as to why it is such a great co-working space :

"🐝 3 reasons why Hive is the place to be 🐝

Tired of your bedroom / kitchen / shed? Our lovely space is just a stone’s throw from the beach and the high street. What’s more, we offer…

1. Flexible memberships ✔️
We have a number of options available to suit everyone and there’s no contract – so you can freeze or cancel at any time.

2. Collaboration opportunities ✔️
If you’re a social wasp, our space is ideal for work opportunities and we have a number of members who already collaborate on projects. Equally, if you’re a busy bee who likes to crack on and fly solo, that’s also okay.

3. Free tea, coffee, WiFi, printing (and chat) ✔️
Kindness (and our hot beverages) cost nothing. Use our colour printer and take advantage of our cosy meeting room.

Talk to us today about options, fire us an email at <a href=

talk@hivecoworking.co.uk" . . . . #coworkingwhitstable #communitycentre #underoneroof #whitstablecowork #Whitstablepeople #communitycafe #collaborations #bizneighbours #supportlocallyrun #supportlocal #smallbusinesssupport #neighbours">

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Aug 31

Our Pay What You Can project in the cafe has been part of our organisation for nearly six years.

🍴It allows some to pick up a healthy and home-cooked hot meal, for nothing if needed.

🍴It allows others to bring themselves & loved ones for a well deserved treat and feel empowered that they can pay something towards the guide price.

🍴It provides a safe & welcoming space. Some come back every day we are open to visit.

🍴It allows our whole community to help and support each other by providing the opportunity to add a donation onto your bill, which allows others to eat for less or nothing.

The support for this project, as well as the need, has increased since we reopened in May and we can't thank our wonderful Whitstable community enough for continuing to donate. It is a fully circular project; everything donated to the pay it forward is spent on food for those who eat or shop in our Cafe or Social Pantry.

Over August (tourist season!) our pay it forward donations always dwindle so this is just a lil shout out to say it's still here and very much still being used by our community. All donations whether large or small are much appreciated. Thank you team ✌

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#payitforward #paywhatyoucan #paywhatyoucanmenu #inclusivecafe #communitycafe #foodinsecurity #holidayhunger #righttofood #righttofoodcampaign #foodisarightforall #notforprofitorganisations #Whitstabletogether #Whitstablecafe

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Aug 29

Thanks to Love Dancing for bringing the party and the Taco Bouyz for bringing some mega delicious dancing snacks ✌💃🌮

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#lovedancing #lovedancingpopup #tacobouyz #dancingsnacks #sundaypopup #oysterfringeevent #djs #djevent #dancingintheafternoon #whitstablepopup

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Aug 28

Aaaand we're on, open 9 - 4 at @whitstableumbrellacentre 🙌

We are a bit short staffed today so please bear with us. The kitchen will also shut a tad early at 2pm 💛

Fuelled by @garageroasted and @chaiwallahmargate tea all day ✌

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#communitycafe #garagecoffee #chaiwallahtea #Whitstablecafe #whitstablecommunity #saturdayvibes #canterburykent #coastalcafe #coffeeall-dayer #whitstablelife #kentcafe #Shopbythesea #shopsmallbusinesses

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Aug 27

Chocolatey cloud cake baked by @this_girl_can_bake and our wonderful volunteer Henry on the Friday counter this morning ☁️

See you sooon lovely people 💛

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#whitstablecafe #chocolatecloudcake #glutenfreecake #chocolatecake #homemadecake #webakecake #theumbrellacafe #thisgirlcanbake #supportedvolunteering #SocialEnterprisecafe

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Aug 25

A few weeks ago we had a riotous Saturday morning, hosting the wonderful SENsational Choir alongside our Cafe regulars.

The sun shone and they filled the Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre garden with joyous music.

Thanks for coming!

We are a fully accessible inclusive Cafe and project hub space who work within and with @whitstableumbrellacentre. Do get in touch if you'd like to use as a base or a meeting point and have any questions about how we work 😊

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#accessiblespace #accessiblecafe #circle #projectspace #collaborativeworking #communitycentre #partnershipworking #SocialEnterprisecafe #Whitstablecafe #communitycafe #SENsationalchoir #makatoncanterbury #makaton

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Aug 24

talk@theumbrellacafe.co.uk <br> <br> .<br> .<br> .<br> .<br> <br> #umbrellacrew #recruiting #voluntarydirectors #governance #trustees #volunteers #volunteerposition #reachvolunteering #communityorganisation #theumbrellacafe #SocialEnterprisecafe #socent #nonexecutiveposition #wedogreatsnacks" data-video="" data-carousel="" data-id="sbi_17914423885860937" data-user="theumbrellacafe" data-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CS9zQSvsfDo/" data-avatar="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t51.2885-15/123384972_694349577889156_7994454404900507961_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=2&_nc_sid=86c713&_nc_ohc=ePVNWlytUscAX8oSd6K&_nc_ht=scontent.xx&oh=62a6935b80f95cb3010840866a3fcfdb&oe=5FE3AB63" data-account-type="business"> Open

We're on the look out 🔭

We are recruiting for new voluntary board members. We are after two people to join our madcap crew to help take our organisation to the next level.

We're after a love for community, a passion for strategy & the nitty gritty of governance and someone with at least three years experience in an appropriate field.

Both members will sit as directors of the CIC but are fixed two year unpaid positions. These are non executive director roles, and your job will be to guide and inspire.

We hope this could be a wonderful opportunity for someone local to use their skills in a grassroots & non profit community setting.

Full details of both positions and how to apply can be found via this link :
https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/non-executive-board-member-0?utm_source=notification&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=new-role-m

Any questions or if you're unsure of anything (this is a fairly new experience for us as well so we could well have forgotten to let you know something essential!) please do email us. FAO Jo on <a href=

talk@theumbrellacafe.co.uk . . . . #umbrellacrew #recruiting #voluntarydirectors #governance #trustees #volunteers #volunteerposition #reachvolunteering #communityorganisation #theumbrellacafe #SocialEnterprisecafe #socent #nonexecutiveposition #wedogreatsnacks">

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Aug 23

If you've been in for an Umbrella visit since we reopened in May, you'll know that we have a table number system in place and that we've been using various sized stones numbered 1 - 20 to facilitate.

Most customers know now that 3 is a rather giant boulder and that if left in the sun they go all toasty warm for a good while. Whilst we are hoping to return to our old ways and customs soon enough, in the meantime these random stones have become quite special to us and our regulars.

Charlotte realised that otters keep a special stone with them for life. So, hey presto, here are your 20 otter fact stones good people 👉

Never let it be said we don't use our free time well 😅

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#otterfacts #specialstones #tableservice #covid19 #lightrelief #Communitycafe #whitstablecafe #Kentcafe #notforprofitcafe

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Aug 22

Love dancing?

One week today, we are being taken by the Live Dancing crew.

The Love Dancing pop up will be opening our garden gate 2 - 8pm Sunday August 29th and letting out Balaeric, Italo and general just darn good to dance to tunes all afternoon.

They'll be joined by Sam on tacos and us providing the bar vibes with cocktails, all the regular beers/wines & softs (free drink per ticket).🙌

You gotta have a ticket though and we are down to the last few. If you're up for a Bank Holiday shake down try here 👉👉

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/165267095331

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#bankholidaywhitstable #bankholidayshakedown #lovedancing #djs #whitstabledjs #dancedance #italo #Balaeric #umbrellaevent #popup #oysterfestivalpopup #Whitstableoysterfringe

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Aug 20

Here with cake that we bake and excellent @garageroasted coffee until 4pm ✌

And all over again tomorrow 9 - 4

Loving #communitycafe life at @whitstableumbrellacentre in #Whitstable 💛

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#webakecake #homemadecake #theumbrellacafe #Whitstablecafe #canterburycafe #canterburykent #kentcafe #shoplocal #smallbusinessuk #Shopbythesea #socialenterprisecafe #SocialEnterpriseKent

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Aug 19

It is with a heavy heart that I write, this one is flying the Umbrella nest next month.

Part Whitstable institution herself, part superhuman, part the sort of person you always want in your life.

If you don't yet know the origins of The Umbrella Café, grab and cuppa and il tell you.

During the Summer of 2015, Caroline and I were job match maked, by a couple of the Centre trustees at the time. They had put out an advert for someone to take over the running of the Cafe within @whitstableumbrellacentre

Caroline and I had both expressed interest but between us we had rather a small child handful on our hands and needed a partner. During the Summer holidays that year we met weekly, chatted and chatted and I guess fell in social enterprise business love at first sight. We found our third partner in Rachel (since left to start a family). Together we drew up a very enthusiastic business plan, handed it in and waited nervously. The rest is recent and very busy history.

Over the past almost 6 years, as in most organisations, the Cafe has seen comings, goings and lots of tweaks. Caroline and mine's original ideas, threaded together over that hot Summer though, have remained present and strong. With Caroline's background as a full-time carer to her son, she wanted a fully accessible and welcoming space. With mine in nursing and social care, I wanted an inclusive and welcoming space. You can see why we got on so well! Rachel created the initial menus (creamy mushrooms - still going!) and we were off.

Many of the connections we have made, such as our longstanding partnership with SNAAP, wouldn't exist without Caroline. She is leaving an amazing legacy and we will all miss her more than we can say.

Caroline is off to do something incredible. She's signing in as a student come the Autumn and in a few years time if you need an occupational therapist, you could see Caroline on her rounds.

There is a Caroline book behind the yellow desk and it will be there for a few weeks. If you would like to write a message, funny story or say something special to her, just pop in and ask.

Jo and the team xxx

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#bye #theumbrellacafe #specialmemories

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Aug 17

Another great day in @theumbrellacafe ; today with a little help from some @snaap_uk students.

Thanks so much SNAAP for lending us these three today; we all had a brilliant time. All students mucked in and helped with our project work, making boxes for @inclusivesport with our volunteers, helping on the front desk with Jo and working in the Cafe with Caroline.

Looking forward to having you back on Monday and hope you all enjoyed 😁

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#snaap #inclusivespace #supportedplacements #supportedvolunteering #theumbrellacafe #charitableprojects #communityspace #accessiblespace #communityhub #paywhatyoucan #payitforward #communitybusiness #notforprofitorganisations #Whitstablecafe

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