Meet. Eat. Art.
Providing a recipe for community integration, newly arrived migrants and locals are cooking together and sharing skills through monthly community kitchens.
The Local Challenge
The Cambridge Bar Hill Hotel, based in a small village outside Cambridge, serves as temporary housing for newcomers seeking sanctuary in the UK. Unfortunately, they lack funds for car travel due to limited financial resources, and navigating on foot or by bicycle is not safe due to inadequate infrastructure. Despite welcoming efforts from the local church and community centre, suspicion persists within the wider community. This collaboration between the library and community centre aims to address these challenges, particularly integrating newcomers who face societal barriers and fostering community cohesion.
The Initiative
Working together, the library and Bar Hill Community Association are launching a monthly community kitchen. Working together with newcomers, they are choosing culturally relevant recipes and sourcing local ingredients. Newcomers and local residents then cook together, share culinary skills and eat together. Following the meal, the initiative is cooking up a diverse arts programme at the library featuring music, puppetry, crafts and dance, chosen by the community. These free events are building friendships and community spirit. Library staff also support and connect participants with additional resources, helping to improve well-being and integration for newcomers who are navigating the asylum processes.
After The Europe Challenge
The initiative has strengthened community bonds and enhanced integration between newcomers and locals, inspired celebrations and ongoing engagement through food-sharing and arts activities. This collaborative approach has empowered the trust at the refugee hotel and started to make lasting connections and mutual understanding, laying the foundations for continued community support and cultural exchange. They have since experienced increased footfall and participation on the ground at the library.
Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.
