Warning: This report contains excessive coffee and cake references!

Five of us met at the Darkroom Espresso cafe in town to help City of Sanctuary set up for their Christmas gathering. It was great to meet Lynette who joined the regulars Sharon, Teresa, Andrew and Paul.

No part of this community mission involved lifting, carrying or moving anything other than food and drink to your mouth. OK we did set up and play the games too but not too taxing. Paul ate extra cake to compensate running the 10km over from Bassett. Thankfully Teresa came armed with three full bags of food left from her works Christmas party. Excellent contribution!

Darkroom Espresso is a very minimalist and chilled establishment which stays open late on Thursdays especially for CoS. So well done to their staff and all the other volunteers.

It was all about conversation (eat mince pie), getting to know people's stories (eat mini roll) and being a friendly ear (eat sweet). Whilst getting beaten at board games and card games. Teresa did win a few poker hands at least! There was lots of interest in what GG do as we explained some of the many tasks completed since August.

After about 2 hours we said our goodbyes as even more people arrived it seemed to keep getting busier. We were invited back and we will certainly accept that invite because they always need help and it felt like just being there to listen makes a positive difference. Next time we have to bring our own cakes too. Given how many of us watched bake off this shouldn’t be a problem?!