Advertise on podcast: Café Hope

Jamie McDonald, founder of Ward Buddies, tells Rachel Burden how the team spend time with young children in hospital when the parents or carers can't be there. The charity's trained volunteers might read stories, play games or just provide comfort through touch and presence. 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 [email protected] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Jill Collins Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham

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'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 [email protected] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham

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 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 [email protected] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham

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 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor Clare Fordham

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 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham

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 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Clare Fordham

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 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Clare Fordham

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 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Clare Fordham

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 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Clare Fordham

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 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Clare Fordham

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 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Clare Fordham

Paul Gregory tells Rachel Burden how he's trying to get defibrillators fitted in each corner of every football stadium, in memory of his daughter Lauren who he used to go to games with. The 29-year-old died following an illness, prompting Paul to set up a campaign known as 'Lauren's Legacy'. He's aiming to get them installed in all English Football League grounds. 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Clare Fordham

Lorna Newbrook tells Rachel Burden how she is trying to get more people to give blood after frequent transfusions helped extend her husband Mike's life for 16 months. She's trying to educate young people that they can donate blood from the age of 17, and wants people to give a 'Pint for Mike'. 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham

Co-founder of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, Colin Bell, tells Rachel Burden how his son's death abroad, was the start of his charity that repatriates loved ones. 26-year-old Kevin, from Newry, County Down in Ireland, was killed in a suspected hit-and-run in New York in June 2013. The community in Newry, raised around £150,000 to bring Kevin back home. Inspired by their generosity, Colin and his family started the charity, which is funded entirely through donations and fundraising, to help families in the same position bring their loved one home. 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Clare Fordham

Founder of Quilts for Care Leavers, Maggie Lloyd-Jones, tells Rachel Burden how the charity offers 'quilted hugs' to young people who are leaving the local authority care system. Volunteers start quilting at the start of the year, so each care leaver attending an organised Christmas dinner can pick out a quilt of their choice. 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] Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Clare Fordham