The Village Kitchen supports individuals over 65 across Forth Valley, focusing on improving mental health, quality of life, and physical health through access to nutritious meals, reducing isolation, and increasing social opportunities and community participation. The organisation runs three main projects: the “At Home” service, which delivers home-cooked meals with free delivery and an informal wellness check; a weekly Lunch Club Café where guests can enjoy a hearty three-course lunch with free transport within the Dollar area; and the “Big Day Out” project, which offers monthly adapted bus trips to local beauty spots and tourist destinations. All catering income supports seniors’ projects within the community. More details: villagekitchen.org.uk
The Makers Café is committed to using locally and socially sourced ingredients in its offerings. The café employs an inclusive team, including autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities, who gain valuable kitchen skills and social confidence in front-of-house roles. Customers can enjoy Myrtle coffee, homemade jams and chutneys, and baked goods such as chocolate traybakes. The café also collaborates with Gartinny Nurseries, a Scottish Autism vocational project and working garden centre, to supply locally grown vegetables to the café. More details: makersalloa.org/cafe
Tullibody Community Garden, managed by the charity Tullibody Healthy Living in Clackmannanshire, is cultivated by volunteers who gain valuable horticultural skills while producing fruit and vegetables for sale at realistic prices. The garden was developed in response to the community’s request for locally grown food, and its produce is sold at the weekly Tullibody Fruit and Veg Barra. The initiative fosters a strong sense of community and encourages local residents to prepare fresh, healthy dishes. More details: Facebook @TullibodyCommunityGarden
Established in 2011, The Gate Charity initially aimed to assist those affected by homelessness and food insecurity. As the need grew, The Gate evolved into a comprehensive community resource offering practical help for positive change. The Community Café provides a safe, warm, and welcoming environment for people to meet with colleagues, family, friends, service users, or clients. The café operates on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am-1pm, serving nutritious food at realistic prices. The “Gate Lunch Special” includes a choice of homemade soups, a selection of sandwich fillers, and tea or coffee for £3.30. Group bookings are welcome, and a takeaway menu is available. The café also participates in the “Too Good to Go” program, offering discounted meals. More details at: the-gate-charity.org
St Mungo’s Parish Church in Alloa hosts a community café, offering a variety of homemade soups, sandwiches, salads, and cakes. The café also serves pastries and sandwiches from the bakery, as well as toasted chocolate brioche, traybakes, and lunches that include the seasonal “Quiche of the Day”. All dishes are prepared by award-winning chef Billy Campbell. More details: Facebook @stmungoscafe
At the turn of the 20th century, Scottish adventurer Ella Christie returned from a trip to Japan, inspired to create her own Japanese Garden. She commissioned Taki Handa, a talented female designer, to design the seven-acre site, resulting in the Japanese Garden at Cowden, the first and only garden of its size and scale to be designed by a woman. After an extensive restoration, the garden was opened to the public in 2018 and remains a unique and authentic bridge between Scottish and Japanese cultures. The site also features twenty acres of woodland with scenic walks, a children’s play park, and a craft cabin. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy lunch at the Cowden Tearoom, which offers homemade soups, sandwiches, paninis, salads, and cakes. More details: www.cowdengarden.com
Alloa Hub is a welcoming community space, offering workshops and events; including hosting charity coffee mornings.
The Hub’s Made in Clacks shop supports local makers by showcasing and selling their products.
The range includes everything from crafts and candles, to jewellery and food products like locally made shortbread.
The Hive’s Community Café runs Wednesdays and Fridays 12-2pm, with free food and friendly faces, at 21 Mill Street Alloa.
