Reflections from the Kitchen: A Meal, A Moment, A Memory

This experience was deeply emotional for me on a personal level. It began as a community mission, but due to a delay, I arrived late — and coincidentally, I was the only one from GoodGym to show up. Still, I was warmly welcomed at One Church Brighton.

As a Muslim, I’ve always felt safe and embraced in churches, and this was no different. I was introduced to John — the chef and, frankly, the unsung hero of this story. He’s been cooking for the homeless for years, always with a smile, patience, and an open heart.

I quickly jumped into action: whipping cream, mashing potatoes, searing onions, and boiling milk. There was a lot going on in that kitchen, but John answered every one of my (sometimes silly) questions with kindness and encouragement.

After the service, more beautiful souls arrived to help get the meal prepared and served — ready to welcome our fellow brothers and sisters whom life, in its randomness, had not given the security of a roof over their heads. And yet here we were — the lucky ones — with the opportunity to give something small, but meaningful.

I’ll admit, I had a personal struggle preparing the pork sausages — something I don’t eat. But I reminded myself: I was cooking them, not eating them. Still, I suddenly understood how Superman feels around kryptonite.

Once the meal started, I saw something simple but powerful: smiles. Each time I brought out a new dish or refilled a tray, there was a sense of gratitude in the room. I insisted on serving dessert — a delicious fruit pie with cream — until John gently suggested I try a piece myself and maybe sit down to eat with our guests.

So I did.

I sat next to N. He was born and raised here, British accent and all — unlike me. “I struggle with mental health,” he told me. “That’s why I’m homeless.” But instead of crying, he laughed — a loud, echoing laugh that filled the church hall and shook something deep in me.

You see, I lost my job six months ago, because I decided to stand up for my people in Palestine and talk about the Genocide and starvation in Gaza. I’ve been living off my savings. I’m not at risk of homelessness yet, but I am struggling. One extra blow, and I might be in their place.

But that’s why this moment mattered so much.

Because now I know — I can count on GoodGym, and on the kind, generous people at One Church Brighton, to restore dignity and offer more than just a warm meal.

They offer connection. A seat at the table. And a reminder: none of us are alone.

Last night’s GoodGym mission was all about elbow grease and elevation as we set off for One Church on Florence Road to give their kitchen a seriously deep clean.

We kicked things off with a short but steep run up Ditchling Hill and arrived with hearts pumping and ready to scrub.

Our task for the evening: turn a hardworking community kitchen from grubby to gleaming. This kitchen supports amazing projects like Chomp, which runs free school holiday lunch clubs for families on low incomes.

Armed with an arsenal of sprays, cloths, scrubbing brushes, and determination, we tackled every surface from top to bottom.

Fridges? Sparkling. Worktops? Shining. That one mystery corner no one wanted to look at? Conquered.

By the end, the kitchen was gleaming, our arms were tired, and we had used enough cleaning product to register it as a new GoodGym member.

Massive kudos to the team for their hard work and good vibes. A top-notch effort all round.

What a great session to welcome Omolade, aka Molly, in our community!

Thirteen GoodGymmers came out in force to help keep a community kitchen clean and tidy.

Eight of us ran 2km from our meeting point at the Old Stein, braving the long climb up Ditchling road to meet the rest of the group at our new task venue - One Church on Florence Road. One Church is a faith based community in Brighton that also runs various projects and initiatives that helps to bring the community together.

One such project is the Florence Road Cafe - a well used space to relax, work or meet other people. And we were tasked with giving their kitchen a good clean and tidy up! From clearing and cleaning the fridges, to pulling out ovens to clean them inside and out, to sorting pots and pans to make them easier to access. This really was an example of many hands making light work, as we worked our way through the long list of jobs in just 45minutes.

As a notice on the fridge said: "the first rule of the kitchen fairy, is there is no kitchen fairy; the kitchen is only cleaned by volunteers" And our amazing group of GoodGymmers certainly did a good job of being kitchen fairies this week.

WHAT's ON NEXT at GoodGym Brighton?
Plenty to amuse you to join us soon.

EVERYBODY is welcome!