Since opening their doors in September 2023, the York Mosque Community Kitchen has welcomed hundreds of people, especially those who may be feeling lonely, vulnerable, or facing challenges such as the rising cost of living to share a meal.
The York Mosque Community Kitchen, however, is about much more than food – it’s about connection and belonging.
Committee member and co-founder Faizal Mohamudbuccus, shared:
“We’ve brought people together—refugees, asylum seekers—giving them a point to come to where they know they are welcome. At a previous event, two refugee women told us they wanted to give back after everything the kitchen had done for them. They asked to volunteer at the mosque, and we were really humbled by that.”
The kitchen has become a fantastic place to meet for many, offering not just to enjoy some delicious home cooked food but also friendship, support and a sense of purpose.
The Community Kitchen has rapidly grown from serving just a handful of people to welcoming over 90 guests in a single session. The kitchen is open every other Thursday, from 12pm to 1.30pm, and held at York Mosque and Islamic Centre. The atmosphere is warm and very welcoming, creating a real sense of community.
Among the many visitors, the kitchen earlier this year welcomed Zara Mohammed, Head of the Muslim Council of Britain, who made a special detour on a trip back from Glasgow to experience the initiative firsthand and share a meal. Alison Semmence, Chief Executive at York CVS, and Jane Granville, York CVS Funding and Development Officer, also had the pleasure of visiting the mosque to see the great positive impact the kitchen is having on the community. During their visit, they were delighted to meet with Zara Mohammed, Mebs Surve, co-founder of York Mosque Community Kitchen, the dedicated volunteers, and the community visiting that day.
Alison says, “We received such a warm welcome when we visited the York Mosque Community Kitchen and shared lovely food with people from all parts of the community. It’s great to see this type of initiative which brings together people from all backgrounds, everyone is welcome.”
Images show the dedicated team of volunteers along with Mebs Surve, Co-founder, Alison Semmence, CEO of York CVS and Zara Mohammed, Head of the Muslim Council of Britain along with the beautiful food prepared at the York Community Mosque Kitchen
Each session is hosted by a dedicated team of five or six volunteers, who prepare and serve a hearty, authentic meal to guests. The volunteers come from all walks of life – residents, students, retirees, and former Lord Mayor of York, Barbara Boyce, who all give their time to support the initiative.
Image shows the dedicated team of volunteers along with Barbara Boyce, former Lord Mayor of York and Jane Granville, Funding and Development Officer, York CVS.
Local businesses also get involved, occasionally hosting guest kitchen services where they donate delicious food to share with the community and with initial funding provided by The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust the kitchen is able to continue.
To mark the first anniversary back in September 2024 and to recognise the dedication of volunteers and guest kitchen hosts, the team organised a special appreciation ceremony. Certificates were awarded to those who have played a key role in making the kitchen what it is today, celebrating their commitment and invaluable contributions to the community.
At York CVS, we are passionate about supporting and championing York’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector and organisations like the York Mosque Community Kitchen. Our Funding and Development Officer, Jane Granville, worked closely with co-founder Mebs to provide guidance on the kitchen’s legal structure and constitution, ensuring the initiative could continue to grow and thrive.
We also help with recruiting local volunteers, ensuring that the kitchen remains sustainable and continues to provide this vital service to the community.
If you need support or advice for a community project, find out how we can support you at York CVS by visiting our Funding and Development webpage or contact Jane.Granville@YorkCVS.org.uk.
The York Mosque Community Kitchen is always looking for new volunteers to help make a difference. If you’d like to get involved, visit the York Volunteers website to see the latest opportunities.