Moseley Hive community kitchen welcome hundreds every week

Like every Wednesday evening, volunteers gather up to prepare all the cans, vegetables, fruits and bread donated.

The next day, like every Thursday, they are hosting the Community Fridge.

Everyone is welcome to collect food, which is donated by local retailers to help reduce food waste.

The place is welcome to all, without any paperwork needed. (Image: Newsquest)

"Everyone welcomed"

“Everyone is welcomed, you don’t need to prove anything, you just come here and can grab some fresh fruits, vegetables, tin cans, or bread on this counter,” explained Steph Buckle, in her yellow apron.

“You have people from every background, every age, from the elderly to babies.

“So many people are coming every week,” added the 60-year-old retired.

As soon as you step in this colourful and welcoming venue, volunteers are here to organise and not make it awkward.

Cup of tea or coffee can be grabbed on the counter for free and a lot of people are coming and going.

Free coffee and tea is offered to people coming in. (Image: Newsquest)

Some with some fruits and vegetables in their bags, other are just here for a chat.

“Shops from the aera, like Mark and Spencer and Aldi, are donating a lot of their supplies that we can donate here every week,” explained Annie March, a 60-year-old teacher.

Just like the two volunteers, the place is set alight with joy and happiness.

Steph Buckle and Annie March are both volunteers at Moseley Hive. (Image: Newsquest)

Hundreds coming every week

Besides from the community fridge event, Moseley Hive is also the place of community yoga on Monday, in which you pay as you feel, or soup club with the soup provided by the restaurant next door Sorrento Lounge.

On their schedule, you can also find some music session, and a lot of other events like some session to help people experiencing homelessness, people who struggle with computer, session where you can swap clothes, and some queer events.

The very colourful place hosts plenty of events every week. (Image: Newsquest)

“There are probably at least 20 or 30 events every week,” explained Lola Graham from The Moseley Community Trust.

On top of that, they also host neighbourly nights, a community supper club.

“Every month, you can go and have free diner made by us and people from the community.

It is nice, you meet your neighbours!”

A very popular place, used by around a hundred people every week.

Local shops are donating some food and bread to help. (Image: Newsquest)

Before being this busy hub for the community, the venue located on the High Street, used to be a Pizza Express.

“The building was originally a WH Smith back in the day and then went through a number of different businesses, the last one being a Pizza Express,” explained Mrs Graham.

“Moseley Community Trust then took it over on a temporary lease and opened the Hive before securing a grant from a charitable trust to finally purchase the building in 2023.”

During the Covid, the pizzeria shut down and in 2021, became this community kitchen.

Even though they have a small income from their co-working business, they mainly rely on donations.