An ice cream shop isn’t the sort of place you would expect to be busy on an overcast Thursday morning, but Just-Ice on Park Lane in Poynton is no ordinary ice cream parlour. While it does serve some of the best sundaes and waffles in the area, what makes this café unique is its mission to offer sympathetic and supportive employment to survivors of modern slavery.
Before the social enterprise launched in October last year, it started off as a stand-alone ice cream trike known as Harriet - named after the American abolitionist and social activist Harriet Tubman. While the trike can still be found selling ice cream at festivals, weddings and private events, the shop is now the main focus and has become a vital community asset.
“The original Just-Ice is run by a really inspirational couple called Gavin and Sally Murray in Derby,” explained Poynton Just-Ice co-founder Jo Rodman. “They became interested in the problem of modern slavery and human trafficking and also had a hobby of ice cream making, so combined the two.
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“When we heard about them, I just thought it was amazing. I’m from a small business background myself and I thought I’d really like to do something like that, plus I’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth.
“We thought how wonderful it would be to create a welcoming, friendly space that can serve as a meeting point for the community - somewhere where loneliness and isolation can be tackled - and also somewhere that welcomes into employment people who haven’t got the right to work in the UK.”
So far, Jo, who brought the concept to life with the help and support of St George’s Church in Poynton, has brought on three survivors of slavery, teaching them skills, helping with references and working with them to source full-time employment. “One of our trustees Deborah takes the lead on the baking team, and we have about eight ladies baking and two people who are survivors of modern slavery. One of them is learning to make biscuits and cookies - he’s got a real flair for it, and the other individual is making sauces that go on the ice creams.”
The profit-for-purpose business extends its ethical ethos into the ice cream, which is made in small batches on the edge of the Peak District and picked by a volunteer driver once a week. “The ice cream is made by Gavin and the survivors of slavery, who he has trained up and employed as ice cream makers.
“There’s a strong emphasis on Fairtrade ingredients as well, so where possible, ingredients such as sugar, cacao, chocolate, coffee, vanilla are sourced from Fairtrade suppliers. The flavours change five times a year, so there are four ranges to go with the four seasons, plus a special Christmas range.”
Summer time varieties include Rippling Raspberry, Chocolate Passionfruit, Eton Mess and Simply Lemon, which sit alongside steadfast flavours such as strawberry and vanilla. Not only are they served in cones or tubs - to take out or eat in - but also in ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes and sundaes.
Basically, you’ll be spoilt for choice should you visit Just-ice. And if that’s not enough, the kitchen team can often be found baking up a storm, creating a variety of cakes and sweet treats.
The ice cream café isn't just driven by a desire to help those who are victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, but also aims to connect the community and provide a safe place for people to come if they’re feeling lonely or cut off. “The main vision behind Just-Ice was the modern slavery support aspect but when we applied that model to Poynton and thought about the kind of setting we’re in, we said we’ll have two aims.
“The second of which is to be a Christian presence in the community and to be a place that isn’t all about profit, but rather a welcoming space where people can come and meet. People who simply might not have anyone to go for coffee with, or who are just at home on their own, feeling lonely and isolated, can pop in and they know there will always be a table booked with a couple of people who are ready and available to chat with them.”
Described as an “ice cream extravaganza” by Jo, Just-Ice has only been operating as a café for nine months, but it has already become an essential and much-loved part of the community. Being able to provide employment for those who have suffered terrible trauma, while also serving as a community hub for all ages is no easy feat, but this Poynton ice cream parlour does both seamlessly - and that alone should make you want to visit.
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