Café Hope

Andrew Bromilow, from disability gaming charity Everyone Can, tells Rachel Burden how gaming can help people connect and gain independence. They adapt gaming controllers, host disability gaming sessions and design gaming strategies to support disabled and neuro-diverse children and adults. 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Tom Bigwood

The founder of How To Be Adopted, Claire Moruzzi, tells Rachel Burden how her adoptee experience has helped her connect and support other adult adoptees dealing with the impact of being adopted. She describes the network as being a community where you don't have to explain or justify your feelings, but can share advice and experiences. 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Details of advice and support with adoption are available at BBC Action Line. Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Tom Bigwood

As part of BBC 5 Live's Teen Summit, Imogen and Joshi, from youth group While We Still Can, tell Rachel Burden how they're trying to stop people using plastic water bottles in their village. They've set up refill points and are encouraging local shops to stop selling 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'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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Details of organisations offering information and support with mental health are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Tom Bigwood

Founder of Brave Mind, Simon Trower, tells Rachel Burden how his love of rugby and his own experience of depression helped shape the charity's drive to use sport to support young people's mental health. Simon knew that when he opened up about the dark times he had been through, it could help others share their own feelings about their mental heath. The charity now uses sport settings to help 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Details of organisations offering information and support with mental health are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Tom Bigwood

The director of Reclaim The Sea, Rebecca Wetten, tells Rachel Burden how the nonprofit organisation teaches refugees and asylum seekers swimming, surfing and paddleboarding to help them move past trauma and not fear the sea. 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Tom Bigwood

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 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Tom Bigwood

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 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Tom Bigwood

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 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Tom Bigwood

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 how other parents responded to her home cooking that she was bringing in for her family, and how it inspired her to extend the care to other people who were in the same position. 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Tom Bigwood

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. 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tom Bigwood

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 , 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tom Bigwood

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 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tom Bigwood

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 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tom Bigwood

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 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tom Bigwood

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 sit down and start a conversation if they need to. 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. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, including urgent support, a list of organisations that can help is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Researcher: Daisy Herman Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tom Bigwood

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 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 cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Producer: Jill Collins Researcher: Daisy Herman Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor Clare Fordham

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 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 easier. And the key here is in the trying. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it's always worth a go. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Jill Collins Researcher: Daisy Herman Sound Design: Richard Hannaford Editor: Clare Fordham

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 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 easier. And the key here is in the trying. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it's always worth a go. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Jill Collins Sound Design: Richard Hannaford Editor: Clare Fordham

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 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 easier. And the key here is in the trying. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it's always worth a go. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Jill Collins Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham

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