Café Hope

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, and celebrating the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on [email protected]

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 celebrating the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on [email protected]

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 20 years ago, has now turned into an annual Christmas party with hundreds attending over the day.

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 the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on [email protected]

Silent Night performed by the Lighthouse Choir

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, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip, and celebrating the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on [email protected]

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, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip, and celebrating the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on [email protected]

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 small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip, and celebrating the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on [email protected]

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/actionline

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 the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on [email protected]

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 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 the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on [email protected]

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. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip, and celebrating the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on [email protected]

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 café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip, and celebrating the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on [email protected]