Yesterday our Southampton Day Centre welcomed the Lord Mayor of Southampton to the newly-opened Night Light Cafe.
This evening cafe, based in our Day Centre on Cranberry Avenue, offers hot food, a safe space, and community support every evening from Monday to Friday between 4pm and 8pm.
The new initiative is being run by City Life Church in partnership with Two Saints. It aims to fill a gap in evening provision, offering warmth, food, and friendship at a time when many other services are closed.
The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Cllr James Baillie, paid the cafe a visit yesterday to speak with Two Saints staff, cafe volunteers, and our clients.
At the cafe, he said: “It’s such a fantastic project that bridges the gap between the day and the night. It’s really important for people to have access to these services.”
The Night Light Cafe project builds on the long-standing work of both City Life Church and Two Saints in the city, recognising the growing need for out-of-hours support and creating pathways to further help.
Cllr Baillie continued: “Night Light shows the heart of Southampton at its best — people coming together to care for those who need it most.
“Providing warmth, food and kindness in the evenings can make a real difference, and I’m grateful to City Life Church and Two Saints for stepping up to meet this need with compassion and commitment.”
The photo shows (from left) cllr Baillie, Night Light host Paul Woodman, volunteer Ken Fishlock, host Tricia Kenyon, and our regional director Kenna Young.
Paul said: “We want every person in Southampton to know they are seen, valued, and not alone.
“This evening cafe is about meeting real needs with dignity and care.
“We’re grateful to be working alongside Two Saints to offer a space of welcome and hope for those going through tough times.”