Café Hope

Ian Bennett, from the charity Wave Project, tells Rachel Burden how they make the ocean and surfing accessible to people of all physical abilities, and how surf therapy can improve people's confidence. 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 loca...

Co-founder of social enterprise Stitch the Gap, Amanda Stark, tells Rachel Burden how they affect environmental change by teaching sewing skills to reduce waste and save money. Amanda is passionate that this life-long skill is not lost for future generations. She runs classes for all ages and bereavement workshops where people can use a loved one's clothing to make a memory bear. Café Hope is our...

Founder of the National Ring Recovery Service, Morley Howard, tells Rachel Burden how metal detecting turned from his hobby, into a way of helping people find their lost belongings for free. Being a full time carer for his son who has cystic fybrosis, Morley helps raise money for charity by giving away any donations for his work. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in fo...

Chrissy Foster, from Bittersweet Harmonies, tells Rachel Burden how her community choirs have brought people together regardless of talent, physical ability, or mental health. She runs three choirs, including one specifically for Carers, providing them with a brief respite from their caring role ‘Care Free Choir’, then a further ‘Breathless Singers’, for people who have been diagnosed with chronic...

Andrew Salim, tells Rachel Burden how his cleaning company is tidying up Liverpool's parks in their free time, jetwashing play equipment, weeding and picking up litter. 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...

Founder of charity Winston's Wheels, Rachel Wettner, tells Rachel Burden how when her dog Winston lost his mobility, a gift of a wheelchair inspired her to help other dogs live their best lives 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,...

Lewey Hellewell, founder of charity Humans MCR, tells Rachel Burden how using a food bank made him want to help fellow users feel less ashamed, so started doing home deliveries. 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...

Founder of Emily's Star charity, Katie Mainwaring, tells Rachel Burden how having a premature baby inspired her to help families whose children have complex needs, after her own baby girl died from a rare genetic 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 doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us a...

Personal trainer Javeno McLean tells Rachel Burden how he trains people with disabilities and the elderly for free in his health centre, to show them that fitness is for everyone. 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 Tap Social Movement, Tess Taylor, tells Rachel Burden how the social enterprise trains and employs prisoners and prison leavers in their craft brewery and bakery. 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,...

Michael Beynon tells Rachel Burden how he wanted to show others that having Down Syndrome doesn't stop him from running his own Welsh cakes business. 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 gossip, and ce...

Co-founder of Strut Safe Rho Chung tells Rachel Burden how they set up the UK-wide phoneline to try to make people feel safer on the streets at night time. 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 gossip,...

Douglas Fraser tells Rachel Burden how the community bus scheme in Glenfarg in Perthshire has helped with reconnecting people as well as providing transport. 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 gossip...

Co-founder of REfUSE, Nikki Dravers, tells Rachel Burden how the social enterprise helps reduce food waste by running a 'pay-as-you-feel' cafe. 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 gossip, and celebrat...

A Café Hope with a difference as Rachel Burden speaks to a range of guests who are making the festive season better for their community. We hear from author Lemn Sissay about the Christmas dinner for young care leavers, Nicola Marshall who started meet and grief get togethers after the death of her son, and newsagents Shashi and Deepan Patel talk about how opening their shop on Christmas Day over...

Volunteer at Chicken Rescue UK, Jenny Betts, tells Rachel Burden about how she helps ex-commercial chickens find their forever homes. Her work won her a BBC Local Radio Make a Difference Award. 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,...

Hair stylist Joe Milazzo and his wife Lina, tell Rachel Burden how after Lina's cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, they decided to help people cope with hair loss and style hair regrowth. 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, cookin...

Marting Booth tells Rachel Burden how his village came together to buy their local pub. Through the Hudswell Community Charity, they now rent out three cottages for affordable housing in the village, as well as running a shop, library and bee hives. 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...

Co-founder of AIM Northwest, Kerry Bamber, tells Rachel Burden how the charity helps fellow domestic abuse survivors move forward with their lives. She also talks about how their work with perpetrators of abuse, and that with the right help and support, those who offend can make a change. Details of organisations offering information and support with domestic abuse are available at bbc.co.uk/actio...

Co-founder of Electric Umbrella, Mel Boda, tells Rachel Burden how the charity makes music accessible for learning disabled and neurodivergent people. After realising that there were not enough opportunities for everyone to enjoy music and perform, she set about trying to make it more inclusive by staging workshops, gigs and even a festival. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where gues...

Nigel Jeffery tells Rachel Burden how his group The (Mostly) Grumpy Old Men's Breakfast Club is helping widowers like himself cope with bereavement. The monthly gatherings see members meet up with old friends whilst making new ones. 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. Thin...

Heather Sharp who started Forces Wives Challenge tells Rachel Burden about how the social enterprise has reduced loneliness and restored confidence to women who have partners serving in the military. 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...

Rachel Burden hears from Zakia Moulaoui who started the social enterprise Invisible Cities. They train people who've experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides. Through the tours, they aim to change perceptions and break down the stigma of homelessness. 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 b...

Rachel Burden hears from Connor Shannon who set up Addicts to Athletes after he found that running helped with his recovery from addiction. 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 gossip, and celebrating...

Rachel Burden hears from Alison Hitchcock and Brian Greenley, who started From Me to You, where people write letters to strangers with cancer to try to reduce the loneliness associated with the disease. The idea came from when Brian was diagnosed with bowel cancer and Alison started writing to him to try to cheer him up during his treatment. They say that receiving a letter, even from someone you...