Connecting community,
Shepherd’s Star is dedicated to reducing isolation and empowering adults facing hardship in South West London. Through skills introduction workshops, social connection, shared meals and access to support services, we help individuals rebuild confidence, develop new skills and re-engage with their communities.
Our aim is for every individual to live a more connected, hopeful and rewarding life.
Our impact in 2025
Our projects.
All services provided by Shepherd’s Star are for anyone who needs them regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation. Come as you are!
Click on the icons below to discover more.
Our projects.
Explore
Building confidence, growing potential.
The first step to positively change your life.
Autumn 2026 Dates: Wednesdays, 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th November and 2nd & 9th December.
Venue: United Reformed Church, First Cross Rd, Twickenham TW2 5QA
Spring 2027 Dates: Wednesdays, 24th February and 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st March.
Venue: United Reformed Church, First Cross Rd, Twickenham TW2 5QA
Launched in February 2022, Explore offers a welcoming first step on the journey of personal growth.
Run three times a year, with weekly sessions over six weeks, Explore combines skills taster sessions, wellbeing activities and personal development workshops. Graduates are supported beyond the programme, with opportunities to stay connected through ongoing social activities and via our network of dedicated partners.
“Explore is a good way to get out of the house and have a purpose. I have enjoyed learning new skills and meeting friendly people. The food was very tasty, and the group lunches helped me manage my severe social anxiety.”
– Explore graduate.
In 2024, at the request of our alumni, we introduced Explore to More a quarterly opportunity – alongside Good Friday, our weekly community space – to continue building friendships and receive support.
“We didn’t want Explore to end…”
– Victoria, Explore graduate
Good Friday
GOOD Friday: where everybody knows your name!
Good Friday and the All-in-One Hub, is a community space on the border of Twickenham Green, at the United Reformed Church, First Cross Road, TW2 5QA – open every Friday from 11-2pm.
Good Friday offers an opportunity to connect with others over a meal.
We also have a Community Fridge offering surplus food donations from Gail’s Twickenham M&S Teddington, Parsnips of Teddington, Albert’s Deli – and Surplus to Supper, for anyone in need.
All services provided by Shepherd’s Star are for anyone who needs them regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation. Come as you are!
Enjoy wellbeing activities, creative workshops, board games, and shared reading groups (like The Reader on selected Fridays throughout the month.)
The All-in-One Hub (11am-1pm) brings trusted local services together, under one roof with guests being able to access support from:
- Citizens Advice Richmond – advice for local residents
- Jobcentre Plus – employment and benefits support
- RWCDAS – drug and alcohol support
- SPEAR – Homeless Health Link Service
- SEN Unity – wellbeing activities
- Princess Alice Hospice – counselling and bereavement support
- Inhouse psychotherapist – talking therapy
CHRISTMAS CLOSURE DATES: Our Good Friday community space will be closed from: Friday 11th December (last day and Christmas party) re-opening on Friday 8th January 2027.
There are a number of locations throughout the borough that offer food provision and a welcoming, community space throughout the week. More information can be found here.
Table of Hope
Inspiring hope and building friendships.
Table of Hope is our seasonal community lunch at a communal table with the aim of reducing isolation and enhancing wellbeing. Run three times a year (Easter, Summer and Christmas). Our next Table of Hope meal will be on Sunday 4th January 2026 from 12-2pm at the United Reformed Church, Twickenham. All welcome!
Personal experiences from Table of Hope gatherings:
“At the Table there is no-one above you and there is no-one below you. In our society we value platforms for people to stand on but at a Table there is no platform. At Tables we are one and we see each other.” — Matt
“Delighted, Inspired, Moved.” — Steve
“It’s an invitation to community – a wonderful atmosphere with a real community feel.” — Andy
“Table of Hope is a place to meet people and because I have cancer, I like to come somewhere that gives me hope.” — Bernard
SHINING SPONSORS
Shine
Brewing confidence, creating opportunities.
Shine is our barista training for those experiencing isolation and unemployment, enabling them to explore options towards employment within the hospitality industry whilst building their skills and confidence. Training takes place at our weekly community space: Good Friday. Upon completion of six workshops and four weeks working in a cafe environment, trainees are awarded an AQA Unit Award Scheme (UAS) Working in a Cafe: Basic Barista Skills certificate.
Shine isn’t just about making great coffee—it’s about creating new beginnings, growing confidence and brewing a brighter future.
Please contact Laura at connect@shepherdsstar.org for more details.
With grateful thanks to The Clothworkers Foundation for funding the equipment to make our skills training programme possible and to Arise Coffee Roasters for providing our coffee beans.
Christmas Box
Delivering JOY!
Project Christmas Box is our yearly crowdfunding campaign, to support families in need over Christmas. The aim behind the campaign is to gift local families a delicious Christmas food hamper that includes a selection of pantry items to stock their store cupboard over the Christmas holidays, a Christmas roast – with all the trimmings – dessert, chocolates, biscuits, a selection of vegetable & fruits in season and of course, Christmas Crackers!
Personal experiences from Christmas Box recipients:
“Without this box I would have struggled to feed my family — to then open a lovely card signed by everyone, and a gift card fell out — I was lost for words.”
“The kids were overjoyed! I am so so grateful — we are immensely thankful for creating a festive atmosphere for me and the children.”
“The Christmas Box absolutely blew me away… I didn’t expect it to be as big as it was… The contents were amazing and helped me feed my family over Christmas.”
We are a community movement operating in South West London, Twickenham and Richmond Upon Thames.
Shepherd’s Star: our story
Our story began during the 2020 pandemic, when six Richmond residents volunteered their time to serve in a crisis that had reduced frontline services.
As restrictions lifted, we reflected on the gaps we had identified and the encouragement we had received from residents, businesses, and organisations. We began to wonder whether there was an opportunity to continue serving and build on this momentum.
That opportunity became our mission: to empower people who have faced life’s challenges to build confidence, connections and skills for new opportunities and from there, we grew.
Today, we run five projects:
- Explore – our skills & personal development programme
- Shine – our barista & hospitality training
- Good Friday – a weekly community space & fridge
- Table of Hope – seasonal communal meals
- Holiday Christmas Box – a volunteer-led annual special event
How we got our name
To read the story of how we got our name, please click here.
Some friendships don’t last for long, but there is one loving friend who is joined to your heart – closer than any other!
– Ancient Proverb
What we stand for.
Our mission
is to empower people who have faced life’s challenges to build confidence, connections and skills for new opportunities.
Our vision
is a world where everyone has the opportunity to be a connected, valued and uniquely contributing member of society.
Our values
at the heart of everything we do, is our belief in people, inclusivity, collaboration and empathy for all.
We are inspired by Christian values, inclusive in our reach and in doing social good.
Who we are
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”
– African proverb
Ever since she was young, Desiree has had a heart for her community and creating opportunities of provision for those in need. Co-founder of two charities - one in South Africa and another in the UK - Desiree is a community connector, passionate about building meaningful networks across different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. An entrepreneur with experience in both corporate and charity sectors, working in partnership with others to make a difference in the lives of the “one”, is what makes her come alive.
Judy is an NHS public health specialist with a heart for developing and empowering people to live their best lives. Passionate about people and their well-being, Judy brings her years of experience around the world, as a registered nurse and midwife, to Shepherd’s Star. Empathetic and kind, Judy is also a coach and mentor.
With a natural gift of coaching and facilitation and background as Senior HR Advisor for Deloitte, executive coach Marianne brings vision and perspective to Shepherd’s Star. Discerning, creative and resourceful Marianne has a knack for expanding potential and encouraging others to dare to dream.
A motivated and trusted finance and economics specialist, with over a decade experience as Financial Advisor in Canada and South Africa, Justin brings his financial expertise to Shepherd’s Star. Easy-going and empathetic, Justin enjoys working alongside people of all ages, and looks forward to investing his time and expertise into our Shepherd’s Star community.
Brenton brings a wealth of experience from the financial services sector, where he has worked as an executive and consultant specialising in strategy and product innovation. Beyond his professional career, he is a qualified coach who passionately volunteers with several charities, helping individuals of all ages build confidence and unlock their full potential. In his free time, you will find him travelling, cycling or exploring the mountains.
An experienced and creative communicator, with a background in facilitation, Laura brings her expertise of content creation and community engagement to Shepherd’s Star, driving our social impact through projects and communications. Passionate about community, education and food. Laura is also the founder of Relish & Grace, cooking workshops designed to build life skills and confidence.
Ever since she was young, Desiree has had a heart for her community and creating opportunities of provision for those in need. Co-founder of two charities - one in South Africa and another in the UK - Desiree is a community connector, passionate about building meaningful networks across different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. An entrepreneur with experience in both corporate and charity sectors, working in partnership with others to make a difference in the lives of the “one”, is what makes her come alive.
Judy is an NHS public health specialist with a heart for developing and empowering people to live their best lives. Passionate about people and their well-being, Judy brings her years of experience around the world, as a registered nurse and midwife, to Shepherd’s Star. Empathetic and kind, Judy is also a coach and mentor.
With a natural gift of coaching and facilitation and background as Senior HR Advisor for Deloitte, executive coach Marianne brings vision and perspective to Shepherd’s Star. Discerning, creative and resourceful Marianne has a knack for expanding potential and encouraging others to dare to dream.
A motivated and trusted finance and economics specialist, with over a decade experience as Financial Advisor in Canada and South Africa, Justin brings his financial expertise to Shepherd’s Star. Easy-going and empathetic, Justin enjoys working alongside people of all ages, and looks forward to investing his time and expertise into our Shepherd’s Star community.
Brenton brings a wealth of experience from the financial services sector, where he has worked as an executive and consultant specialising in strategy and product innovation. Beyond his professional career, he is a qualified coach who passionately volunteers with several charities, helping individuals of all ages build confidence and unlock their full potential. In his free time, you will find him travelling, cycling or exploring the mountains.
An experienced and creative communicator, with a background in facilitation, Laura brings her expertise of content creation and community engagement to Shepherd’s Star, driving our social impact through projects and communications. Passionate about community, education and food. Laura is also the founder of Relish & Grace, cooking workshops designed to build life skills and confidence.
Stories of Hope
Finding the inspiration in our Shepherd’s Star community.
Jono’s journey with Shepherd’s Star began when his brother Daniel, visiting from overseas, came across a leaflet about our Good Friday community space. Concerned for Jono, who was struggling with addiction and the effects of a mental breakdown, Daniel was searching for a supportive community to help his brother on his path to recovery.
Jono was welcomed into Good Friday, where he found a warm, inclusive space. From there, he was introduced to our skills and development programme, Explore.
“[Explore] gave me an opportunity to discover who I was again. I’d never opened up to a group of people before Explore… I discovered I wasn’t alone. I’ve enjoyed the exchange and the journey of doing it with others.”
Through Explore, Jono was introduced to opportunities in food and hospitality and connected with Beyond Food, an organisation that supports people into sustainable employment. Here, Jono rediscovered his passion for hospitality.
"I was awarded the position of Restaurant Manager during the work experience, through Beyond Food which reminded me I was good at what I did. I was given a chance to try what it is like to shine again.”
Since graduating from Beyond Food, Jono continues to apply for jobs while volunteering as part of the Good Friday hospitality team, where he gives back to the community that helped him rebuild his confidence. Jono’s story is a testament to the power of connection, skills development, and the opportunities Explore offers.
In 2022, encouraged by local residents and business owners, Shepherd's Star launched its first Project Christmas Holiday Box crowdfunding campaign through JustGiving, to support families in need over Christmas. Following the overwhelming success — and many happy recipients — of that first year, we committed to running the project annually.
Bringing the magic of Christmas to families who need it most
In December 2025, we delivered our fourth annual Christmas Holiday Box Project, and it was our biggest yet. With the generous support of Chelsea Foundation, Richmond Furniture Scheme, Twickenham Hygiene Bank, local agencies and an incredible community of volunteers, we raised £11,419 and delivered 120 boxes to families across Richmond — a 50% increase on the previous year.
More than a meal
Each box is packed with everything a family needs to enjoy Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day: a traditional roast with all the trimmings, pantry essentials and celebratory treats. For many of the families we support, Christmas is a time of increased loneliness and financial stress. Every box we deliver is a reminder that they are seen, cared for — and that their Christmas should feel special.
"This gift is not just food and necessary things. It is the warmth of your hearts - attention, kindness, friendship." — Christmas Box recipient
"As a single parent, knowing that someone had taken the time and care to think of us brought a huge sense of comfort and relief at what can be a very stressful time of year. It helped make Christmas feel special, joyful, and full of warmth." — Christmas Box recipient
The power of partnership
This year's project was made possible by an extraordinary team effort. Over four days, 66 volunteers gave 208 hours to build, fill and deliver every box — including 9 volunteers from Chelsea Foundation — and together we completed the project in record time.
To reach the families who needed us most, we worked with frontline local partners including Achieving for Children, Home-Start, Look Ahead, Mortlake Community Association and the Welcome Home Project, who helped identify beneficiaries across the borough of Richmond upon Thames.
The Magic of Blue
Through Chelsea Foundation's Magic of Blue campaign, players from the Chelsea Women's team visited our Good Friday Christmas Party — our inclusive weekly space for adults facing hardship, food poverty and social isolation.
"The visit brought such excitement and joy to our guests - for many, it was the absolute highlight of their year! Christmas can feel very lonely, but this was a day where they felt really seen, valued and celebrated. We're incredibly grateful to Chelsea Foundation and the Magic of Blue campaign for believing in our work and collaborating with us this Christmas." — Laura Povey, Shepherd's Star
A huge thank you to everyone who came together to make a difference in the lives of local families at Christmas.
When Edward first came to Shepherd's Star, depression and anxiety had left him isolated and struggling to leave his home. A referral to our Explore programme became his turning point.
"Explore got me out of my room, got me meeting people, and helped me realise I had skills I never knew I had."
Through Explore, Edward rediscovered his confidence, made new connections — and uncovered an unexpected talent for coffee-making. That spark led him to our Shine Barista Training programme, and now to a job at a café in Putney.
"I've learned that I can make a great coffee. I've learned that I am more sociable than I thought I was. And it's all thanks to Shepherd's Star."
Before Edward discovered Shepherd’s Star, he was struggling with depression and anxiety, feeling very isolated and finding it difficult to leave his home. His turning point came when he was referred to the Explore programme by his Job Centre coach. From the very beginning, he was struck by the warmth and friendliness of Explore.
“It made me feel relaxed. It made me feel welcome. Explore got me out of my shell and helped me engage with people that I wasn’t really doing before.” he recalls.
Explore gave Edward structure to his day, helping him build confidence and re-engage socially in ways that once felt impossible. Through the skills introduction workshops at Explore, he began trying new activities and discovered a hidden talent: coffee-making. On the course, he learnt how to operate a coffee machine, pull the perfect espresso and froth milk. This led him to sign up to Shepherd’s Star’s AQA accredited Shine Barista Training programme, where he continued to flourish.
Today, Edward finds himself in a much more positive and productive place. He has secured a job opportunity at a café in Putney and is excited to begin this next chapter. When asked how he felt, being invited to interview for the barista role, he replied: “It’s something I never thought I’d hear. I never knew I had the commitment or skill to be wanted by a professional.”
Edward speaks warmly of the people who supported him along the way, including Lavender, his mentor in coffee training, and the Shepherd’s Star team. “It feels heartwarming to know that people cared. It’s like a light in dark times,” he says. So inspired by his experience, Edward has already recommended Shepherd’s Star to others – and two people have since joined the Explore programme because of him.
Reflecting on his journey, Edward says: “I’ve learned that I can make a great coffee. I’ve learned that I am more sociable than I thought I was. I’ve learned that I am a good person to be around. And it’s all thanks to Shepherd’s Star.”
Most importantly, he has begun becoming the person he’s wanted to be for years: in paid employment, with better mental and physical health. With new skills, growing confidence, and a job on the horizon, Edward feels optimistic about what lies ahead. “All in all, I think things are only going to go up from here. I can’t wait for the road ahead.”
Edward’s advice to others facing similar challenges: “The bad times don’t last forever. There is help out there, and you can achieve your goals if you set your mind to it.”
What our
community says.
… as and when we gift Shepherd’s Star with funds for those in need we absolutely know that our gift will actually cover the specific needs of the needy rather than say pay vast salaries …
ANNIE, AND DAVID
IN HEAVEN
…as and when we gift Shepherd’s Star with funds for those in need we absolutely know that our gift will actually cover the specific needs of the needy rather than say pay vast salaries …
ANNIE, AND DAVID
IN HEAVEN
