It is this belief that inspired Iolanda to launch Plateful Café, a charity that gives refugees the opportunity to build their lives through food. By providing training, employment opportunities and a welcoming community, Plateful Cafe helps people establish roots in the UK after being forced to flee their homes.
"I'm a great believer in the power of food to bring people together and break down barriers. We all like to eat good food. When we eat together, we forget where we come from."
Plateful Café became a registered charity in 2023. Today, the charity delivers an eight-week Introduction to Hospitality programme, community dinners, catering services and pop-up events across London. Alongside practical hospitality training, participants gain confidence, improve their English language skills, build professional networks and gain the experience needed to secure employment.
"Employment opens so many doors. If you're stuck at home doing nothing, you feel rejected and alienated. We're trying to provide opportunities so people can become active again, support themselves and make a contribution to society."
The impact of that work can be seen in the stories of the refugees Plateful Café supports. One recent participant, a refugee from Sudan, completed the charity's training programme before securing two part-time roles, one as a cooking demonstrator and another as a cupcake decorator. She has also established her own catering business, Nubian Delights, creating bespoke cakes and catering for local events.
More broadly, many of the refugees trained through Plateful Café have gone on to secure part-time and full-time employment in the hospitality sector. After completing the training programme, participants can continue working with Plateful Café as paid chefs, receiving the London Living Wage while catering events and building their experience.
"It's very important that people understand refugees are here because they were forced to flee persecution and war. All they want is the opportunity to rebuild their lives, support their families and make a contribution."
After becoming a charity, Plateful Café operated its own café for nine months before losing its venue. Determined to continue supporting refugees, the organisation spent months searching for a new home before securing a base at Blackfriars Settlement in central London earlier this year.
The new space offered an exciting opportunity to restart and expand the charity's work, but it also brought a new challenge. As part of the arrangement, Plateful Café was provided with a draft partnership agreement governing the use of the building and commercial kitchen space. As a growing charity without access to in-house legal expertise, Iolanda wanted reassurance that the agreement was fair, workable and protected the charity's interests.
Having previously received support through LawWorks in her work with other refugee charities, Iolanda knew exactly where to turn.
"I've been using LawWorks for a number of years and the service has always been excellent, and this time was no different. The speed of the response was amazing. A law firm was found within days."
Through LawWorks' Not-for-Profits Programme, Plateful Café was matched with pro bono solicitors at Milbank LLP, who reviewed the agreement and helped the charity move forward with confidence. The agreement was particularly important because the premises are shared with other organisations, making clarity around access to the space, use of the commercial kitchen and each party's responsibilities essential.
"I had never dealt with a partnership agreement before. I didn't know what clauses should be included or how the document should be structured. The lawyers helped put everything together beautifully."
Securing the space has already transformed what Plateful Café is able to achieve. Shortly after moving into Blackfriars Settlement, the charity successfully secured funding to relaunch its training programme and expand its activities. Access to a free commercial kitchen in central London has provided a foundation for future growth and allowed the organisation to focus on supporting more refugees into employment.
“Thank you, securing this space has opened so many doors for us."
This Refugee Week, LawWorks is proud to support charities like Plateful Café through our Not-for-Profits Programme. By connecting charities with free legal support, we help organisations focus on what they do best, changing lives and strengthening communities.
There are many ways to support access to justice through LawWorks. By volunteering your time or making a donation, you can help charities like Plateful Café continue their vital work.