Garden featuring greenery and bright yellow flowers in the foreground. A stone building is in the background, with a glass panelled door open to show a glimpse of baked goods on display

The ‘much-needed’ Twerton cafe where everyone is welcome

People come to Rose Cottage for a homecooked meal at a price they can afford, but many end up getting so much more. 

“It is special place. And it’s so needed,” says Rachael who volunteers at the community cafe on Twerton’s High Street three days a week. 

“Before I was doing this, I wouldn’t go out. Lots of people suffer with anxiety, mental health – we don’t judge. It’s lovely when people come in and get together and don’t have to worry about how they’re feeling because it’s like a home from home. People from all walks of life are welcomed.” 

The kitchen at Rose Cottage is supplied with a weekly delivery from FareShare South West and chef Morgan will use this food as the basis of the menu. 

The homecooked food he provides acts as a catalyst to bring people together in a place where they can also access a range of services, including Citizens Advice, and connect with others in a safe, welcoming space. 

Woman wearing a red and white checked dress is holding a white cup and saucer and smiling at the camera. She is standing in a cafe setting and there is a dresser with pots of cutlery behind her

For some, the meals and community provided at Rose Cottage are vital. 

Jo has been volunteering for five years and says: “There are people here that never used to come out ever and now, twice a week, they come and meet their friends here and it’s just lovely. 

“It’s an area with quite a lot of poverty and it’s nice that people can come, have something really nice and cheap to eat and just have a chat to someone.” 

Woman wearing a blue and white flowery summer dress with a black apron on top smiles at the camera as she holds a white cup under a coffee machine. She is standing in a kitchen and there are kitchen utensils and a red tiled wall behind her

The importance of a nutritious meal

Jo adds: “The food is wonderful and people really love it. For some people, it might be the only meal they’ve had that day or the only hot meal that they’ve had all week. 

“It’s so nice to be able to provide proper homecooked food, not microwave rubbish. It’s all prepared fresh. And it’s always something different as well.” 

Chef Morgan loves using the food supplied by FareShare South West to create nutritious meals each week. 

“There are a lot of people that need food that’s affordable right now. Everyone loves coming down. Some places will get frozen foods in, but we always use the fresh produce from FareShare South West. 

“People come down, they have a hearty meal, and then they’ll go home and just have a sandwich for their tea. I’ve really loved it down here because it’s just the heart of the community.” 

A young man wearing a black t-shirt, black cap and black apron looks at the camera. He is mid-way through chopping vegetables. He is standing in a kitchen and there are kitchen utensils, a hob and blue walls with red tiles behind him

Mike is the outreach manager at St Michael’s Church, which runs Rose Cottage. 

He says: “We’re so grateful for the food we get from FareShare South West, which means we can provide good food at a good price in an environment where people feel safe and welcome. We also have a pay it forward scheme.  

“It’s great to see folks from the community – from children who come to parties on Saturday mornings to elderly folk who come for their meals on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. There’s a real mix. 

“I think there’s a real need for places like this everywhere, where people can come and feel welcomed and have good food.” 

Man wearing a black polo shirt smiles at the camera as he sits at a table. There are blue walls with a large picture behind him and the table has a blue and white spotty table cloth, with a pot of cutlery and a menu on top

Part of a bigger community

Mike adds: “We just love what we get from FareShare South West and there’s always a little buzz on Monday mornings when we’re waiting for our food from FareShare South West to see what we can get and what we can do with it. 

“It’s great being part of something bigger than ourselves. Knowing FareShare South West is serving the communities across this region, meeting needs, which is so important. It’s wonderful, thank you.” 

An attractive stone building with ornate windows. It has a wall out the front, with foliage visible behind the wall, a tree to the left hand side and blue sky above. There is a purple and blue sign on the side of the building that says 'cafe' in big font and lighthouse written smaller

Rose Cottage is just one of FareShare South West’s Community Food Members that features in our 2026 Impact Report.

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