Barbara and Ma?gorzata work at the Common Table in Rybnik, a social kitchen for citizens who are struggling to put food on the table or heat their homes. It was set up in response to the cost-of-living crisis and offers a space for communal cooking, food storage and getting guidance from social workers.

Over 3900 citizens have used the Common Table to cook a meal or get warm but the impact of the project goes much further than offering a space for people who are faced with energy poverty, homelessness or being displaced. It is also a place to connect with others in similar situations and a place to get advice from social workers. The variety of stories from people who visit the Common Table show the impact the project has on its community.

Wies?aw visits because he can’t afford the heating bills, whereas Rafa? decided to volunteer after a Common Table social worker helped him find a job when he was homeless. Andrzej wanted to help people in the community after his retirement and is now a chef in the kitchen.

What is needed for change?

Short-term relief initiatives are key to ensure low-income and vulnerable households are able to cover their basic needs. These initiatives need to be coupled with long-term structural solutions that deliver bigger, long-lasting impacts to ensure people have a safe and warm environment to call home.