Enjoy a home-cooked meal and even a hug at a new Homerton café for ‘nanas’
Anindita Greco, who is part of the Nana group at Nana, stands infront of a bar top that is built into the original urinals at what is now Convenience Cafe - Credit: Archant
Hugs are one of the things on offer at a new café being launched for elderly people in Homerton this month.
Nana Café in Brooksby’s Walk will serve up comfort food from grandmothers and elderly ladies to help them feel more included in mainstream society.
The idea is the brainchild of former public sector worker Katie Harris, of Rushmore Road, Clapton.
She said: “Nana is a comfort food café staffed by lovely ladies from the local area.
“A lot of activities for older people divide them into their own groups, such as bingo sessions or day care centres, but I don’t want to feel that I’m in my own special group when I’m older.
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“I thought it would be good to create something that includes everyone. Nana’s like to gossip and hold other people’s children. They can read stories to children who come in.
“It’s going to be a great place to hang out.”
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She added: “It will have hearty home-cooked fare.
“We will be serving up all kinds of food that your nana would make, such as dippy egg soldiers, stews, pies and lots of cakes.
“We have a chef but we hope to include the nanas’ recipes, or put them on a food handling course.”
Anindita Greco, 54, of Pitfield Street, Hoxton said: “It’s a great idea to get nanas and older people involved.
“I see many activities for young people but don’t see many for older people.
“I did a patchwork workshop with older people who spoke about how lonely they were and how nice it would be to have somewhere to go to stitch and gossip.
“It’s sad because these are the people who gave us life and looked after us and when they get old we abandon them. The idea of giving them somewhere to go is brilliant.”
Bar
The café will be housed in a former toilet, which has been renovated by the Clapton Improvement Society, retaining some of the original features.
During the evening, the café will turn into a bar and will be used as a space for up-and-coming chefs to try out their food.
n Anybody who wants to volunteer at Nana’s can contact Katie Harris on 07946 542989.
