Cafe Laziz is a St Helens based project that supports sanctuary seekers by providing a safe space for people from different backgrounds to connect. We offer ESOL lessons, shared cooking and meals and support for individuals whilst they go through the system. By hosting a weekly community cafe on Thursdays, market stalls and community events, we use food to break down barriers between the local community and asylum seekers and refugees, fostering understanding and connection. Additionally we train volunteers in food hygiene, language skills and customer service, preparing them for work and helping them to build skills for their future. Through these efforts, Cafe Laziz creates a welcoming, supportive family for those fleeing persecution and hardship.
For ESOL, we run five week introductory courses on Tuesdays 10-1pm at Chain Lane. We only do five weeks as we are trying to reach as many people as possible and specifically those who have not been here long enough to be entitled to accredited ESOL at St Helens College or Adult Community Learning. These classes are for pre-entry to entry 2 level.
We run the cafe on Thursdays which is open to the public between 12-2pm but we are there from 10am for sanctuary seekers looking for friendship – we have tea and coffee and games.