Bringing WISH to Eden Café in Witney

So far, our blog has focused a lot on education and information to support lowered Carbon Cost of living no matter where you reside. Today, however, we want to get hyperlocal and focus on our plans and ideas for what’s happening and why we’re bringing WISH to Eden Café in Witney.

A few months ago we were approached by a number of residents of the greater Witney area. Several women came to Cherwell Collective, all with the same question: could we help save Eden?

So, we’ve come up with a business plan where we would purchase Eden Café, and make it part of our National Lottery funded WISH project, in effect bringing WISH to Eden Café in Witney. We’ve written this blog to summarise the plan. 

What is WISH?

WISH describes a county wide partnership called Waste Innovation Station and is headquartered in Kidlington but we have plans to expand to areas across Oxfordshire. WISH connects dozens of organisations supporting circular economy infrastructure, including reducing waste and supporting more sustainable shopping habits. 

We work with local businesses, climate action groups, community services, and individuals to set strategies to build more community climate resilience for the future. See recent press around our new National Lottery Funding here: Oxfordshire Climate Project boosted by £1.5 million grant. Receiving that funding means that we can support climate resilience in Witney with staffing and other resources, provided we can raise enough funds to secure a space for our activities. That’s where Eden comes in… 

What will bringing WISH to Eden Café look like?

A question begging to be asked is why Eden? Well, because residents of Witney asked us to look at this space. It’s central, it’s accessible, and the café’s operating hours present an opportunity for afternoon or evening community activities – all without interfering with preexisting trade that could support the community work. What are we proposing exactly by bringing WISH to Eden Café?

1. A place open to all. 

This is the most important bit of all… we don’t want to mess with what’s working and what makes this gem a gem. EVERYONE can dine together at Eden without any concerns around there being something for those with allergies. Of course, anyone and everyone can eat vegan, but those with milk allergies or coeliac need to be very careful to avoid severe illness.  One thing people keep telling us is how they do not need to worry at Eden, knowing their entire family will have plenty of choice and everything is consistently delicious. 

For Cherwell Collective, a vegan diet is consistent with the Climatarian lifestyle. We know that the food at Eden has a much lower Carbon Cost than a typical coffee shop. This is partly because of the focus on plant-based milk. Animal-based milks have higher Carbon Costs because of the need to grow food and provide space for the animals in addition to processing the milk.

We do plan to keep Eden Café vegan! To cut costs, will be strategically reducing hours and changing some of the menu options. For example, items which are infrequently ordered, and hours that do not see enough trade to cover staffing costs will be adjusted.  We will also be introducing some options like a pay-it-forward coffee system and freezer of love to reduce waste and increase food access for the wider community.

2. What you want it to be!

We are mindful of the Eden Café’s legacy. We need to protect the special features that are valued by its loyal friends and customers. The Witney community have told us how much you value the Café. You want us to continue with Eden’s amazing vegan food and friendly atmosphere, and build out from there.

Local people see potential for a community hub focused on connection, skills, advice and support by bringing WISH to Eden Café. They value being able to support community resilience and response to climate challenges locally. 

The Café provides a welcoming and inclusive space for people to be with others. People see an opportunity to expand use of the space to include afternoons and evenings for different groups including creating:

• a space for young people to get together
• events and activities for older people to increase connection and reduce isolation
• services with neurodiverse individuals in mind

Inclusion is something the wider community has requested. Keeping the environment inclusive to all is also consistent with the foundation on which all Cherwell Collective activities operate.

A climate focus was emphasised in the first consultation, held on 29th January 5-7pm (pictured throughout this blog). It linked to existing infrastructure in Witney and provided advice and signposting on sustainable food and energy solutions, and a space for local climate groups to meet.

Skills building is something else locals value. Food is a big theme, with people looking for cookery demos, tasters and information sharing sessions, e.g., cookery for young parents and for vegans. 

Challenges with Bringing WISH to Eden Café

There’s a gap identified in the circular economy locally. The community sees the need to work with the local government and businesses on shared infrastructure and waste reduction. However, creating a community space by in Witney by bringing WISH to Eden Café has some initial challenges. Cherwell Collective is reaching out to community groups to help identify and overcome them. Connecting with existing infrastructure and sharing our learnings is the first step to making sure we support, rather than compete with, existing efforts. 

Eden is a great space to meet and enjoy social time.  We will need to develop the space further for community events. This will mean preparing the space for larger activities by improving things like flooring, sound absorption and kitchen facilities. We want to look into energy efficiency and how we can improve the carbon footprint of the space itself. We are also considering updating the outdoor dining space with raised beds and sensory herbs. This would create a more welcoming, contemplative outdoor space to match the warm vibe that already fills the Café. 

One challenge which is familiar in community work is funding. There is an initial cost to secure the space and transition the focus to a WISH hub. To make the climate hub a reality, we will need to raise funds to ensure its sustainability going forward. So, we’ve launched our fundraiser!

What is the Timeline for Setting Up WISH at Eden Café?

We are seeking your help to crowdfund this transition, which must happen by the end of May. If the community donates enough, we also have a few generous funders who will match fund donations. One donor has even made it clear: if we get most of the way they will kick in up to £10,000 to get us over the finish line!  To get there, though, what we really need is the power of the people. No amount is too small, and every share helps!

To find out more please donate and share our fundraising page:  https://www.spacehive.com/eden-wish. 

We only have until the end of May this year to raise the funds needed to start bringing WISH to Eden Café. During that time, if the crowd pledges funds, we will: 

1. Continue our series of consultations with people and organisations in Witney. This will help us to see how we can fit in and support the existing infrastructure for circular economy and climate resilience. 
2. Make some necessary changes to the Café. This will make it more financially sustainable long term. We will also introduce accessibility improvements like a pay-it-forward system for drinks and meals, and a freezer of love. We plan to have this done by the end of March.
3. Host some open community events. This will include a wellbeing event in February, a kitchen herb garden with Harvest @ Home in April, and in May open our young person offer with a youth game night or silent disco. 

How can I be involved?

To become a reality,  the community hub will need a thriving base of  volunteers.  Our vision is of a community supporting each other to increase climate resilience. We will need to recruit people to make this happen. We’d love to have you on board, sign up by filling in this google form. 

If you don’t have regular time to spare, it’s critical we know what the community hub should include and how often.  Please fill in our consultation form! It takes only 3 minutes. Share with your friends and ask them to do the same.  

Finally, if you work in a local Witney business, or volunteer at an existing community/climate action organisation of any kind, get in touch with us: wasteinnovationstation@gmail.com.

Let us know what you want to see, what you don’t want to see, and what you’d WISH for in Witney!