New cafe is a place for the lonely to meet and chat

A NEW community cafe named Natter has been launched with the sole aim of bringing lonely people together for a chat.

Rawmarsh St Mary’s Church is throwing open its door every Friday morning from 10.30am after church evangelist Sonia Blake concluded there was a need for somewhere new for people to get together.

Two weeks into the new project, she said it was going from strength to strength.

“It’s not about the church or religion, it’s just somewhere to meet new people,” said Sonia.

“It’s been fantastic so far. For the most part, it’s bereaved people who want something to look forward to and something to get out of the house for.

“We introduce ourselves when they arrive, give them a seat and bring them a cup or tea or coffee and it goes from there. Everyone just seems to get talking.”

Sonia said people attending had been asked to donate 50p to cover the cost of a cuppa and a biscuit but had actually been contributing much higher amounts.

The church hopes to install new kitchen facilities by the summer.

You can find Natter at St Mary’s Church every Friday morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm.