We proudly work with some of the most compassionate charities, social enterprises, organisations and community groups that support people who are socially isolated.
They refer guests to us who enjoy a night out at Mike’s Table for free. For some it’s the first time they’ve chosen from a menu or tried restaurant-style food. Our volunteers sit and eat with our non-paying guests to make them feel even more welcome and at ease. The evenings are fun, happy and often inspirational for everyone.
People become socially isolated for all kinds of reasons.
For guests recovering from physical illness or who have a disability, for those recovering from homelessness, for those with mental health problems or learning difficulties, an evening at Mike’s Table can help ease them back into society, recover their confidence and gain new social skills. It’s often a treat for the carer or support worker too, who also come for free.
For others who are recovering from addiction, Mike’s Table is a safe space to relax and enjoy themselves. We always offer free soft drinks or Mocktails to add to the occasion.
Refugee and migrant support organisations use Mike’s Table to help introduce UK food and customs to their clients, to give them an opportunity to practice speaking English and also to allow them to socialise with each other and make new connections.
And some people simply have no spare income to spend on themselves. Eating out is low on their priority list so Mike’s Table offers them a way to dress up and have a fabulous night out with out any financial worries.
We see again and again how an evening out at Mike’s Table builds social confidence and brings joy and respite to those who attend.
Our supper Clubs are offered free of charge. Carers and support workers are welcome too. These evenings are funded by ticket sales from other events. We use the same venue, the same high quality menu and offer the same warm welcome.
It takes guts to come to an event where you don’t know anyone, so we ensure that our guests feel welcomed and looked after and they come back again and again.
As we all emerge out of enforced ‘social isolation’ because of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us will have the confidence and the social structures in place to return to a reasonably normal life. For those who were socially isolated before lockdown their problems have not miraculously disappeared and will probably have intensified.
That is why our work will be more important than ever.
Mary’s Table
Mary came to Mike’s Table with Leon, accompanied by their support workers from Yarrow. Mary and Leon are adults with learning difficulties. At first Mary was shy and awkward but she watched how the other guests behaved, asked a lot of questions about the menu and settled down. Leon was very happy to try lots of new food and discovered he likes blue cheese. That evening Mary won a Leith’s Cookery book and was absolutely delighted and told us that she enjoyed cooking – this was the first her support workers had heard of it!
A few months later we were invited to the very first ‘Mary’s Table’ at the Yarrow Community Rooms. With help, Mary created a 3 course menu and served it to other members of the community around a beautifully laid table. It was a proud moment for us.
If you would benefit from a night at Mike’s Table for free then please contact us.
If you are a charity or organisation who would like to refer your clients to us then please contact us.
