Faces of Kidderminster – Sandra Wolfenden

Sandra Wolfenden is a familiar face in Kidderminster. For 22 years she ran Natural Break, a café in Blackwell Street. She has had a stall on the market raising money for Acorns Children’s Hospice. And now she’s running the Exchange café which opened in the Town Hall last year.

‘I like to make people happy,’ says 71 years-old Sandra who runs the café along with her 72 years-old husband Nigel. ‘I have the perfect job.’

The café is open on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and the cakes and treats are homemade by Sandra, anything from chocolate meringue to carrot cake, Victoria sponge, and delicious scones. She also makes hot food, toasted sandwiches, and omelettes.

‘I can’t stop cooking,’ she says. I love it when people say: “that was delicious.” It just makes me happy.’

Sandra ran Natural Break until she retired 12 years ago. She says running the Exchange Café feels like a dream. ‘It was something I really wanted to do,’ she says.

‘It’s a lovely place. I love children and they love me too. When the children come in they know my name and they run to me.’

The café is a meeting place at the heart of Kidderminster Town Centre. There is a child friendly area where little ones can explore their creativity with friends and there is an arts activity space for workshops.

‘I enjoy chatting to the people who come in,’ says Sandra. ‘I love meeting people, they’re so interesting. I have a lot of regulars already, and they’re bringing their friends in too.

‘People have made friends in the café and have met people they haven’t seen for years, it’s brilliant.

‘I welcome everybody. I know a lot of people in Kidderminster, and I’d do anything to help anyone if I could.’

Sandra has been married to Nigel for 40 years and they live in Kidderminster. ‘I certainly don’t want to move anywhere, she says. The people in Kidderminster are lovely. If I won billions, I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I just love it here. I’m very happy.’