Who are we?

Founders

The Meeting Place was set up by husband and wife team Jason and Kate Lejeune. During the Pandemic of 2020/2021 they were both very active in trying to bring the community together, helping people that were isolating to connect with volunteers who could safely get them shopping, medication or whatever they needed. Kate said “My proudest moment was going to buy a birthday cake, a card, some presents and some decorations for a young family who were isolating. The birthday girl was 8 years old and I just couldn’t have them going without a birthday cake!”

Jason and Kate were also involved in the “Lunch on the Go” initiative in Tiverton where surplus food from the supermarkets were donated and two days a week they would organise a team of volunteers to make hot soup and then give it away free to help tackle food poverty. While doing this they also found out that due to the pandemic many people felt isolated and lonely desperate for human connection. Jason said “There was one person, who became a regular, that told me that they had moved to Tiverton two months before the pandemic and hadn’t had a chance to meet many people or join any groups before the first lockdown hit. They then told me that they hadn’t seen another physical person in 18 months. I was shocked, angry and frustrated that people like this are getting lost in our relatively small community.”

Both Jason and Kate realise the need for more joined up thinking in our community to build a stronger resilience in our town. Jason said “Sometimes I feel that there are many issues in Tiverton which go unnoticed. food poverty, homelessness, financial insecurity, isolation and mental health should rate higher on the radar.” Kate said “by setting up The Meeting Place” we wanted to create an environment that was TOTALLY inclusive, a safe space for anyone to meet up and to eat homemade cake and have a drink.”

All cakes are homemade by Kate, who has her own cake and business, The Sugar Parlour which operates from her registered kitchen. Kate says ” My catering business has a 5 star food hygiene rating, and I always ensure we have different options to suit many dietary needs. I make sure we have Gluten free, vegan friendly and dairy free options. I also list any allergens in the recipes on the menu which is displayed. We want it to feel like a cafe but without the price tag and although we welcome donations to help cover the running costs we absolutely wouldn’t want a lack of finances to be a barrier to coming along.

Our Volunteers

Lindy

Lindy is one of the unsung heroes of the team – ask her yourself and she’ll reply “I just make the tea”, which she does and so much more. If its a regular visitor then Lindy has an amazing ability of remembering what they usually drink and how they have it! On the very, very rare occasions that Lindy can’t be there, the rest of the team struggle with the multitasking of making drinks and the people there always notice saying “No Lindy this week? That’s a shame!”

Lindy also volunteers at and organises many other events in the town and surrounding area. She single handedly organises Sampford Peverell Historic Vehicle Gathering each year, collecting money for Devon Free Wheelers Blood Bikes. She helps out at Re:rooted helping with outside promotion and making people aware of the free cafe serving cooked surplus food.

Finally Lindy organises, each year, a peaceful protest march in Tiverton called Reclaim the Night. It’s a fully inclusive event encouraging all communities & individuals to raise better awareness and demands women and girls the right to feel safe on our streets.

She is always the first person to offer her help whenever something needs doing.

“I just make the tea” – yeah right!!

Sarah

Sarah is the “Crafty” and organised one! She, along with other volunteers, run a large table doing arts and crafts each week. Sometimes there’s a theme, sometimes its card making, sometimes its pebble painting, sometimes its crochet but it is always fun. Sarah has an amazing sense of humour and is always the first person to notice that someone is sat on their own or is visiting for the first time so and goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcome and included. A retired school teacher who is brilliant in welcoming both adults and children, some say she is the mother of the group!