Connecting community, inspiring hope
Supporting isolated and vulnerable adults across Richmond and South West London.
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!
Our skills and personal development programme offers a welcoming first step towards positive change. Over six weekly sessions, it combines skills taster sessions, wellbeing activities and personal development workshops.
Find out moreA weekly community space open every Friday from 11am–2pm, offering a shared meal, wellbeing activities, creative workshops and a Community Fridge. The All-in-One Hub also brings trusted local services together under one roof.
Find out moreOur seasonal community lunch, held three times a year, brings people together around a communal table to reduce isolation and build friendships.
Find out moreOur barista training helps people experiencing isolation and unemployment build skills and confidence for work in hospitality. Trainees who complete the programme earn an AQA Unit Award Scheme certificate.
Find out moreOur annual crowdfunding campaign provides local families with a festive food hamper, including a Christmas roast with all the trimmings, pantry items and treats, to help them enjoy the festive season.
Find out moreOur 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, and 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. Today we run five projects: Explore, Shine, Good Friday, Table of Hope and the Holiday Christmas Box.
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.
We didn't want Explore to end…
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.
Delighted, Inspired, Moved.
It's an invitation to community – a wonderful atmosphere with a real community feel.
Table of Hope is a place to meet people and because I have cancer, I like to come somewhere that gives me hope.
Shepherd's Star wouldn't exist without the incredible support, kindness and generosity of our friends, who bring us together – giving their time, finances, emotional support and creativity to improving our local community.
Volunteer application