Written by Jaime Hewett, OCVA Development Officer
During my recent visit to Witney Talking News, I had the opportunity to meet with Adam at Witney Community Meal, who shared the remarkable story of this grassroots initiative that’s quietly transforming lives across the town.
Every Thursday between 5-6pm at High Street Methodist Church in Witney, something special happens. The doors open to welcome anyone who needs a nourishing meal and genuine company, with no charge and no questions asked. What began as a simple community response has grown into something much more significant.
Since launching in 2023, Witney Community Meal has served over 2,000 meals – a testament to both the genuine need in the community and the power of consistent, reliable support. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
What strikes you most about Witney Community Meal is the deliberate emphasis on community connection. Rather than a quick food distribution, they’ve created a space where people truly dine together. Long tables encourage conversation and relationship-building, breaking down the barriers that often separate people during difficult times.
The diversity of those who gather each Thursday reflects the breadth of community need. Refugees adjusting to life in a new country sit alongside local families stretching their budgets. Neurodivergent people find a welcoming environment, while carers grab precious respite from their demanding roles. People of different faiths and none share tables and stories, creating the kind of natural integration that builds stronger communities.
Perhaps most heartening is how the initiative has fostered a culture of mutual support. Many people who initially came seeking a meal now regularly help serve others, transforming from recipients to contributors in a natural evolution that preserves dignity while building community capacity.
The meals address genuine food poverty in ways that go beyond basic nutrition. Adam shared the story of one attendee who had rushed to get to the meal because there was no food at home. These moments reveal how Witney Community Meal provides not just sustenance, but relief from the anxiety and shame that often accompany financial hardship.
The Connected Communities Fund has been instrumental in enabling this vital work to continue. Adam expressed deep gratitude for the support they’ve received, noting how the funding has allowed them to maintain their weekly commitment to the community and sustain the level of provision that so many now depend upon.
The setting in High Street Methodist Church reinforces the welcoming atmosphere, offering a warm, familiar space where people can relax and connect. The Thursday timing catches people at the end of the working week, providing both practical support and social connection as they head into the weekend.
What emerges from Witney Community Meal is a model that treats food insecurity as a community issue requiring community solutions. By creating space for genuine relationship-building rather than just food distribution, they’re addressing the isolation and disconnection that often accompany financial hardship.
The success of serving over 2,000 meals in just over a year demonstrates both the scale of need and the power of consistent, accessible community support. More importantly, it shows how addressing practical needs through relationship and shared experience can strengthen the entire social fabric of a community.
For those interested in joining the community meal, either as diners or helpers, Witney Community Meal welcomes everyone every Thursday from 5-6pm at High Street Methodist Church in Witney.