Revival Food & Mood had its long-awaited official opening on Thursday 27^th April, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by supporters, guest speakers and local dignitaries.

The reopening of the Mind in Bexley and East Kent social enterprise café and wellbeing hub took place at its new location on the High Street in Whitstable, Kent.

The unique, exciting and forward-thinking initiative aims to promote wellbeing, transforming lives through good food and music – creating a thriving local community where everyone feels welcome, nourished, connected and able to imagine and create a better future.

Revival Executive Director Deborah Haylett talked about the difference they hope their new location will make: “After a long two years we are thrilled to finally be able to re-open in a fabulous new building with so much potential. The café is our main source of income that allows us to develop our important community mental health projects.

“We believe we have created a space where everyone will feel welcome and uplifted. We know times are challenging, but we hope our unique café will mean that customers will choose us and enjoy everything we have to offer, while knowing they are supporting community mental health at the same time. It’s a win, win.”

It is not just the food that makes Revival Food & Mood special, the vegetarian café with plenty of plant-based and gluten-free options has a beautifully thought out mid-century designed interior. The internal space includes an indoor garden area with a water feature, acoustic sound reducing seating booths and a chilled-out area at the back with a dual function transforming into dance floor and DJ booth for private hire and fundraising events.

Revival Food & Mood is committed to supporting mental health initiatives in the local community and the team behind it are excited to launch ‘Chatty Tuesday’ with a focus on providing space and initiatives for those living alone, working from home or new to the area to come in for a chat, meet others, find out about local groups and activities or just enjoy being out and part of a bustling community space. They also have a variety of peer support groups that are there for everyone to drop in and unwind, talk about their worries, connect with others and most of all know that they are not alone. Information about the projects can be found at www.revivalkent.co.uk/our-projects/

Dr David Palmer, the Chief Executive of the Mind in East Kent said: “As a mental health charity, we believe that no one should have to face a mental health problem alone. Revival Food & Mood is not only a fun and energetic bright and funky place to visit and eat delicious food, but the space also offers lots of opportunities to be part of a vibrant welcoming inclusive space surrounded by kindness and music.

“Revival also provides lots of opportunities to connect with others in the local community, informal support, great food, and is a great footfall audience for raising mental health awareness and challenging stigma.”

Revival Food & Mood is open Monday 8:30am-4pm, Tuesday 10am-3pm, Wednesday-Friday 8:30am-4pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-4pm, and is located at 58 High St, Whitstable CT5 1BB.

For more information, visit www.revivalkent.co.uk or follow the cafe on Facebook: www.facebook.com/revivalfoodandmood and Instagram: www.instagram.com/revivalfoodandmood/