Say hello to Alex Crow – the new General Manager at Mint Lane Café, based in the Involve@Lincoln centre.
The café, which welcomes everyone, uses supermarket food that would otherwise go to waste to make nourishing hot meals and takeaway sandwiches which are sold for between £2 and £3.
It also houses a range of self help and self enhancement groups to improve mental health and its services always reflect its ‘friendship through food’ strapline.
Alex, who has been volunteering at the café for about a year, said: “I am feeling very enthusiastic about my new role at Mint Lane Café.
“I first discovered the café when I joined UpBeat – a group which meets there to raise awareness for and provide assistance to people with personality disorders – and attended events held there by Women in the Arts.
“I then began volunteering my time to help with the health and safety and food hygiene aspects, as I have a lot of experience in both from my day job as a restaurant supervisor.
“I’ve also gained considerable experience in customer service, hospitality and mental health services. So when the position of Café Manager came up, a friend of mine – who was closely involved in the beginnings of Mint Lane – suggested I should apply.
“I’m inspired by my friends at the centre; I look at what has been accomplished so far and it excites me to think about what could be achieved in the future.
“The Mint Lane Café is somewhere anyone can go: it is a home away from home for not just our customers but our volunteers too.
“It’s fantastic to be part of something that helps so many people and it’s such an inspiration to see the passion and drive people have to make a difference in the world.”
Greater Lincolnshire Food Partnership 