Café Hope

Founder of the Good Dads Club, Matt Krishnan-Bird, tells Rachel Burden how the support group for fathers helps men in Essex share the highs and lows of parenting. There's now over 400 members and they can take part in organised strolls and events giving the fathers a chance to meet one another. He says they share tips on weaning, sleep deprivation, and how to become a better partner. Café Hope is...

Yasmine El-Gabry tells Rachel Burden how she and her neighbours met when they decided to clean up and transform their shared alleyway. What was once a rubbish filled space, littered with everything from mattresses to old fridges, was transformed into a shared garden with lights and chairs where the neighbours could hang out whilst planting flowers and vegetables. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 c...

Recorded at the Hay Festival, Chris Sylvester, founder of Getting Clean, tells Rachel Burden how his recovery from heroin addiction made him want to help other addicts. Starting with litter picking and helping in the community, Chris then moved on to making soap. Recovering addicts now make and sell the soap, with half the profits going to addiction charities. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coff...

Emmie’s Kitchen was created after Eve Naraynsingh’s daughter, Emmie, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at the age of eight. It started as a single home-cooked meal for families once a month at The Manchester Children's hospital, and is now into a volunteer-led service delivering on average 130 hot meals three to four weeks each month. Recorded at the Hay Festival, Eve tells Rachel h...

The Refugee Buddy Project helps families and individuals from refugee backgrounds. The charity's founder Rossana Leal, tells Rachel Burden about how her experience of fleeing Chile in the 80s inspired her to help others coming to the UK. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big and small ways....

Founder of Ullswater Catchment Management, Danny Teasdale, tells Rachel Burden how the group works with farmers in the Lake District to restore hedgerows, rivers and wetlands to prevent flooding. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café...

Jo Revett, from the charity Dora Brown, tells Rachel Burden how volunteers transform homes for free for families living in crisis. They may need help because of domestic neglect or hygiene poverty. The team go in and do a deep clean, clearing out the home, as well as showing the family how to maintain their homes themselves. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a b...

Bhishma Asare from Rap Therapy tells Rachel Burden how rap and poetry workshops can help disadvantaged children build confidence and learn to express themselves. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café , cooking up plans, hearing the g...

The founder of charity Stories for Life, Barbara Altounyan, tells Rachel Burden how she recorded her father's life story when he was at end of life. Seeing how much he benefitted from it, she wanted to help others record their stories as well. The team of biographers now record end of life patients wherever they're being cared for. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in...

Dean Perryman, the founder of community group Empty Chairs, tells Rachel Burden how he's trying to reduce loneliness by encouraging strangers to chat to each other in pubs. After his best friend Rob took his own life, Dean wanted to make sure that people could connect and talk. Empty Chairs happens in pubs across the UK, around a small table with a few chairs left intentionally free, so people can...

Nuala MacDonald tells Rachel Burden how she made her village in the Highlands become autism-friendly. She has encouraged businesses to have a quiet hour where no music is played, or have heat maps on display which show busy areas that can be noisy. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big and...

Matthew Hyndman, also known as Matty, is a former contestant in the BBC One series of The Traitors. He's the founder of the Wee Gay Hike Club, and he tells Rachel Burden how he hopes the group can be a space for LGBTQ+ people and their allies to find community, connect with the outdoors and enjoy nature. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tel...

Dr Susan Taheri, an NHS GP and creator of the Growing Well Garden, tells Rachel Burden how the project is supporting both her own and her patients' wellbeing. The space is used in a variety of ways including drop-in sessions and nature based activities. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big...

Hermen Dange, the founder of Made Running, tells Rachel Burden how the club is creating a community-driven environment, inclusive to everyone, no matter what their level of fitness. The club motto is 'no-one is left behind'. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us...

Thought-provoking talks in which speakers explore original ideas about culture and society.

Hannah Hall from Penny's Pigeon Aid tells Rachel Burden about their work to rescue and rehabilitate pigeons. The welfare charity doesn't encourage people to domesticate pigeons or increase their population, but they do want to educate people on these birds and promote kindness towards them. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they...

Cemal Ezel, from Change Please, tells Rachel Burden how they help address homelessness by selling coffee. The social enterprise trains homeless people for employment through the sale of coffee, offering them a living wage, housing and therapy support. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big a...

Lara Howe, from the Pet Blood Bank, tells Rachel Burden how dogs are helping to save the lives of their fellow canines by donating blood. The charity runs donation sessions across the country and the blood is stored at a processing centre, separated into different products and distributed to vets when required. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat...

Join Rachel Burden for Café Hope’s Christmas Dinner where we’ve swapped our virtual café for a real one – the perfectly named Café Hope in Glasgow - for a chat and a cake or two. We’ll hear how the community café is run by young people mentored and trained by professional chefs. And we’ll hear how all our guests are trying to make Christmas better for people in big or small ways. Café Hope is our...

Trystan Jones, from The Community Impact Initiative, tells Rachel Burden how teaching communites building skills also improved their confidence and wellbeing. The social enterprise picks empty houses in deprived areas to renovate and make available to the community or vulnerable groups that need them most. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to t...

Co-founder of the Hardy Group, Sue Atherton, tells Rachel Burden how the charity supports people living with dementia and their carers. When Sue's husband Geoff was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, they wanted to start a support group for younger people living with the condition. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they’re doin...

Mike Hughes, founder of volunteer initiative Poppy Cabs, tells Rachel Burden how they provide taxis for veterans who need to travel to Remembrance Day events in the UK and abroad. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they’re doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up pla...

Co-founder of The Multi-Story Orchestra, Kate Whitley, tells Rachel Burden how the charity works with young people and musicians to create collaborations in places like carparks. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they’re doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plan...

Neil Baker, from the Men's Shed in Camberley, tells Rachel Burden how community workshops reduce loneliness, encouraging men to make new friends whilst completing building projects. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they’re doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up p...

Susan Mansaray, founder of Purple Rose, tells Rachel Burden how the community interest company supports refugees and their families, alongside Stockton residents. Purple Rose provides a space for socialisation and integration, where people can make new friends whilst enjoying a hot meal cooked by volunteers. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to...