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 signposting 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 2024
Our projects.
Click on the icons below to discover more.
Our projects.
Explore
Building confidence, growing potential.
The first step to positively change your life.
Autumn 2025 Dates: Tuesdays, 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th November, 2nd & 9th December – FULLY BOOKED
Venue: Richmond Library Annex Quadrant Rd, Richmond TW9 1DH
Spring 2026 Dates: Wednesdays, 25th February and 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th March & 1st April
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.
In 2024, at the request of our alumni, we introduced Explore to More a monthly opportunity to continue building friendships and receive support through our befriending programme.
“We didn’t want Explore to end…”
– Victoria, Explore graduate
Good Friday
GOOD Friday: where everybody knows your name!
Good Friday is a community space on the border of Twickenham Green, at the United Reformed Church, First Cross Road, TW2 5QA – 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 and Surplus to Supper, for anyone in need. Our Good Friday community space is open access and all are welcome!
Join us for fun, food and friendship.
Enjoy wellbeing activities, creative workshops, board games, and shared reading groups (like The Reader on selected Fridays throughout the month.)
A range of services are also available to support you with access to mental health care, recovery-focused treatments, and Job Centre assistance.
CHRISTMAS CLOSURE DATES: Our Good Friday Community Space will be closed from Friday 12th December re-opening on Friday 9th January 2026. We will be having a Table of Hope meal on Sunday 4th January 2026, 12-2pm at the United Reformed Church, Twickenham. All welcome!
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.
For the third year running Shepherd's Star was proud to collaborate with local families, residents, schools and businesses to deliver boxes of Christmas Dinner JOY to 80 families supported by Achieving For Children. Thank you to every one of our partners, volunteers and supporters who gave so generously.
"I was expecting a small box with a symbolic greeting - perhaps some sweets for the children - but when I saw the size of the Christmas Box I was pleasantly surprised! It contained everything we needed for a festive table and even more!" - Christmas Box recipient.
"The kids were overjoyed! I am so so grateful - we are immensely thankful for creating a festive atmosphere for me and the children." - Christmas Box recipient.
"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." - Christmas Box recipient.
"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." - Christmas Box recipient.
"With the current cost of living crisis, we are seeing so many working families struggling to make ends meet. These are families who wouldn’t qualify for financial support and would not be flagged up to schools as being in need. So for us to have autonomy over who receives these boxes has meant we are able to help those who would otherwise fall through the net. Thank you so much for your hard work, kindness and generosity..." - Laura Edbrook, Achieving For Children .
"I enjoyed my time at the charity Shepherd’s Star and the courses they offered.
The courses gave me a reason to get out of bed in the mornings and helped to motivate me during the days I attended.
During the Discover Horticulture Course at Kew Gardens I discovered I knew more about botany and plants than I thought I did before. I also enjoyed the tours at Kew Gardens. I learnt to work in groups and explain in detail succinctly.
At the Richmond Furniture Scheme, I learnt practical skills like hand-eye coordination in building a planter box...
Click the link below to read the full story.
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
