The Wee Chatty Café
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Out for a walk or a cycle and looking for a pit stop to rest weary legs and refuel – then check out the Wee Chatty Café in Old Kilpatrick.
The brightly painted shipping container beside the Saltings is hard to miss and there is always a friendly smile and banter available alongside the rolls and sausage, ice cream and coffee.
The story behind the Wee Chatty Café is an interesting one…
The name may ring a bell as it is part of OKFP Hub CIC social enterprise. It also supports Old Kilpatrick Food Parcel’s charity.
The 40ft shipping container was purchased in 2021 and a planning application submitted, but due to Covid delays it took a further two years before approval was granted.
Finally on April 1 2023 the Wee Chatty Café team opened for business and remain open seven days a week 10am - 2pm.
Gordon Cummings runs the Wee Chatty Café with five regular volunteers and one employee – Sharon Marr.
Sharon started as a volunteer with the charity back in 2022.
She explained: “I lost my husband through cancer, and I wasn’t going out much, then one day I discovered the Chatty Café when it was in Station Road, I loved the atmosphere and thought I could do this and get out again.”
After the move to Napier Hall, Sharon started working in the Wee Chatty Café and loves her new role.
“You get to meet so many new people every day, and also get to know the regulars. I had just moved to the village and didn’t know anyone.
“Here I have time to talk to folk and get to know people – many of them like myself – it’s such a lovely atmosphere, we need somewhere like this in the village.”
“I really enjoy being at the Wee Chatty Café, it feels like you’re part of the community."
If you pop along on a Saturday morning, you’ll be greeted by an all-male volunteer team – Gordon, Christopher, and Lennon.
Gordon, co-founder of the charity, loves showing the young men how to make home-made soup and the pair are enjoying learning new skills.
Chris, 16, initially started volunteering for his Duke of Edinburgh while 17-year-old Lennon is keen to get some experience in the care sector before university.
Chris said: “I first started volunteering with the Chatty Café two years ago for my Duke of Edinburgh, going out with Gordon to collect supplies from the supermarkets.
“Then the Wee Chatty Café opened, and I’ve been there ever since.
“You meet so many nice people from different backgrounds, get a chat and a laugh. It is a great charity, the amount of work they do and the number of people they help – I love being part of it.”
A visit to the Chatty Café also prompted Lennon to volunteer. “Maureen showed me round and I was really impressed with it so asked if I could get involved.
“I really enjoy being at the Wee Chatty Café, it feels like you’re part of the community. We get used to our regulars and get chatting to them, people have a nice attitude towards it.”
07578769485
theweechattycafe@gmail.com
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