Sofia Shayk turns her bakery into a warm refuge for the most isolated during the festive season

In Manchester, Sofia Shayk, founder of Sofia Patisserie, has made the heartfelt decision to open her café to those who are elderly and alone this Christmas. Though she does not celebrate the holiday herself, the Muslim entrepreneur is committed to offering warmth, food, and companionship to those who need it most.

Newly opened on Cheetham Hill Road, her café will welcome guests on December 24, 25, and 26, serving a full roast dinner to people aged 60 and over who have nowhere else to go. But more than a meal, Sofia wants to offer a family-like atmosphere and a sense of belonging.

Sofia's commitment stems from her own experiences with eviction, poverty, and loneliness. "I want everyone who walks through that door to feel loved," she says.

The idea was sparked by a touching encounter with an elderly man in a wheelchair who began visiting her shop daily. He later confessed he had no family and would be alone for Christmas. Moved, Sofia invited him to spend the holiday at her café — a gesture that quickly became a community-wide initiative.

Inside the patisserie, with its luxurious purple and gold décor, plans are also in place to welcome delivery drivers in January with free hot drinks. Within the next six months, Sofia hopes to launch a soup kitchen, continuing her mission to create a space where dignity and kindness thrive.

Through her café, Sofia is proving that a small business can have a big heart.