THE TOGETHERNESS CAFE

Statement:

Comment by Anwer Sen Roy:

A vision for the future is to see a Togetherness Café in every neighborhood throughout the UK. By replicating these safe, inclusive, and empowering community hubs, we could spark positive change on a national scale. Individuals from all walks of life would have a place to unite, share experiences, and support one another. This collective sense of belonging and collaboration would not only cultivate stronger relationships but also foster an environment where everyone can truly bloom.

Anwer Sen Roy is a writer and journalist, renowned for his two Urdu novels, Cheekh and Zillatoun ke Aseer. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with several major Urdu print media groups and served as a pioneer editor, launching four Urdu dailies from Karachi. After retiring from the BBC World Service in London, he has devoted himself entirely to his literary pursuits, continuing to contribute significantly to Urdu literature.

Introduction

The Togetherness Café stands as a remarkable community-driven initiative that has transformed the social fabric of Newham. It provides a nurturing, inclusive space where people from all walks of life gather to share experiences, access vital resources, and forge meaningful connections. Guided by the belief that “if you have a problem, it is our shared problem,” the Café tackles every aspect of human need—whether social, emotional, or practical. This holistic approach to community care ensures that no one is left behind, validating every individual’s worth and extending equity in practice. Below is a comprehensive overview of its key outputs, achievements, and the profound impact it has had on the lives of participants and volunteers alike.

Key Outputs and Achievements

1. Resource and Advice Centre

• Comprehensive Support: A huge percentage of Newham residents face challenges and anxiety due to language, cultural and understanding official language barriers. With all services shifting online, it has become the greatest challenge and concern for residents. Togetherness Cafe offered essential guidance on welfare benefits, legal matters, such as wills and probate and assistance with understanding housing applications (language barriers, not understanding what information or documents are required) ,
• Addressing Social Issues: Dealt extensively with isolation, loneliness, and community marginalisation, reaching seldom-heard groups who had long felt overlooked. A number of sessions were aimed at women, isolated by cultural and religious barriers and felt uncertain on seeking advice on domestic violence, health concerns and their rights.
• Lifeline for the Vulnerable: Acted as a safe haven for individuals needing immediate help, signposting them to specialist services and working collaboratively with various agencies.

1. Cultural and Religious Celebrations

• Festive Unity: Organised events for Eid, Diwali, Vaisakhi, Mohammed Rafi music extravaganzas, and other cultural occasions—often complete with face painting and henna decorations. We welcomed all residents and communities to celebrate together, creating awareness of the diverse cultures and helping with community cohesion.
• Diverse Festivals: Brought together communities to share meals, songs, and stories, fostering mutual respect and cultural understanding.

1. Health and Well-Being Programmes

• Accessible Healthcare: Held vaccination clinics, on-site health screenings, and workshops for managing chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease).
• Awareness Campaigns: Observed international and national awareness days, including Violence Against Women Awareness, Black History Month, and various Independence Days, reinforcing the importance of holistic well-being.
• Welcomed public health initiatives such as 50 steps workshop to discuss challenges faced by residents, raise awareness around health conditions, their impact and available services in Newham

1. Mindfulness and Bereavement Support

• Safe Spaces to Heal: Offered bereavement cafés and mindfulness sessions to help individuals cope with grief and trauma.
• Emotional Resilience: Encouraged open dialogue on mental health, reducing stigma and promoting community-led support groups.

1. Recreational Activities

• Community Outings: Organized uplifting trips, such as excursions to Sandbanks and festive outings to see the Christmas Lights, providing joy and respite from daily pressures.
• Inclusive Picnics: Planned regular get-togethers in parks and on public transport (like group train journeys), helping people connect in relaxed, friendly settings.

1. Skills and Empowerment Workshops

• Practical Training: Offered digital literacy, sewing, conversational English, employability sessions, flower arranging, and “fix-it” tutorials to build confidence and independence.
• Pathway to Employment: Volunteers and participants gained tangible skills, boosting their CVs and opening doors to job opportunities.

1. Healthy Eating Demonstrations

• Culinary Journeys: Hosted international cooking workshops—like demonstrations of Channa Chaat and other healthy recipes—highlighting nutritious meal options.
• Shared Experiences: Encouraged communal cooking and dining, reinforcing a sense of togetherness and cultural exchange.

1. Interactive and Creative Activities

• Engaging Platforms: Embraced games, storytelling circles, sing-alongs, and group meals to deepen mutual understanding.
• Building Friendships: Created a fun, low-pressure environment where participants of all ages and backgrounds could forge lasting bonds.

1. Family Connections and Intergenerational Love

• Strengthening Ties: Hosted joint activities for parents, children, and grandparents, fostering collaboration and love across generations.
• Unified Households: Encouraged families to support each other’s learning and well-being, enhancing empathy and communication within the home.

1. Breaking Down Barriers

• Historic Firsts: United participants from varied ethnicities, faiths, and ages who had never before interacted, transforming strangers into friends.
• Cultural Respect: Demonstrated the power of trust and compassion in overcoming prejudice, leaving a legacy of openness and acceptance.

Overall, The Togetherness Café has emerged as a cornerstone of Newham’s social infrastructure, championing health, well-being, and social cohesion. Through its extensive programming, it reduces isolation, empowers individuals, and fosters an enduring culture of mutual support and respect.

Addressing Local Priorities

1. Providing Essential Services

• The Café serves as a central hub for practical help—welfare advice, and legal assistance—ensuring that the community’s most pressing needs are met.

1. Promoting Cultural Inclusion

• By celebrating religious and cultural festivals (Eid, Diwali, Vaisakhi, etc.), the Café encourages cross-cultural understanding and harmony, inviting diverse communities to learn from and celebrate one another.

1. Enhancing Community Health

• Through vaccination clinics, health screenings, and self-care workshops, participants are better informed and more proactive about their health and lifestyle choices.

1. Combatting Isolation

• The mindfulness sessions, bereavement cafés, and recreational trips target those grappling with loneliness, creating supportive networks that help break the cycle of isolation.

1. Building Skills and Confidence

• The digital literacy, employability, and creative workshops help individuals develop practical, marketable abilities, raising their self-esteem and improving job prospects.

1. Encouraging Intergenerational Connections

• Family-oriented events bolster cross-generational understanding and respect, weaving stronger community and familial ties.

By embedding these interventions within a supportive, community-driven setting, the Café ensures that local priorities—health, inclusion, and empowerment—are actively pursued and sustainably achieved.

Project Beneficiaries

• Total Participants: 877 in Café activities; 5,076 in advice services
• Total Volunteers: 16

Gender of Participants:

• Female: 63%
• Male: 37%

Age Groups:

• Under 19: 10%
• 20–29: 10%
• 30–39: 10%
• 40–49: 20%
• 50–59: 25%
• 60–69: 18%
• 70 and over: 7%

Ethnicity:

• Asian or Asian British: 40%
• Black, African, Caribbean or Black British: 30%
• Mixed or Multiple Ethnic Groups: 10%
• White British, White European or Other White background: 15%
• Other Ethnic Group: 5%

Disability:

• Yes: 32%
• Physical/Mobility: 30%
• Sensory Impairment: 20%
• Learning Difficulties: 15%
• Mental Health Condition: 20%
• Long-Standing Illness: 10%
• Other: 5%
• No: 68%

This diverse demographic profile reflects the Café’s broad appeal and efficacy across various cultures, age groups, and abilities.

Main Outcomes

1. Mental Health Improvements

• Through peer support, mindfulness sessions, and bereavement cafés, individuals reported reduced stress and loneliness.
• Participants frequently mention feeling “seen, heard, and respected”—a transformative experience for many who had felt marginalised.

1. Stronger Community Bonds

• By bridging differences in ethnicity, religion, and generation, the Café fosters a spirit of collaboration and collective uplift.
• Acts as a unifying space, with participants noting how they’ve formed friendships that extend well beyond Café activities.

1. Empowerment

• Practical skills gained from workshops enable individuals to navigate job applications, digital platforms, and everyday tasks with renewed confidence.
• Many participants now volunteer, taking on leadership roles within the Café and their communities.

Positive Changes to the Community Neighbourhood

1. Enhanced Social Cohesion

• The Cafe's consistent events and programmes turn strangers into neighbours and neighbours into friends.
• Reports of diminished social barriers attest to the Cafe's role in fostering unity.

1. Improved Community Health

• Health checks, screenings, and educational workshops have raised awareness and driven more proactive health choices.
• Vaccination clinics were particularly successful, ensuring that even harder-to-reach groups had easy access.

1. Family Connections

• From story sessions to inter-generational cooking classes, families connect in new ways, reinforcing supportive family networks.
• The environment also encourages grandparents and grandchildren to collaborate, bridging generational divides.

1. Community Networks

• Volunteering is now seen as a badge of pride; participants support one another through informal networks during times of hardship or celebration.
• Peer-to-peer support groups have grown organically, extending the Cafe's influence beyond its physical space.

1. Culture of Inclusivity

• Celebrating diversity has become a hallmark of the neighbourhood, with more robust cultural exchanges and mutual learning.
• Local organisations and faith groups now reach out to collaborate, eager to share in the Café’s success.

1. Legacy of Empowerment

• The Café’s model of inclusive, equitable service is inspiring civic ownership, encouraging participants to assume community leadership roles.
• Residents mention feeling motivated to engage more actively in local issues, reflecting a heightened sense of agency and responsibility.

Participant and Volunteer Testimonials

“Before the Café, I felt so alone. Now, I have a place to go where everyone knows my name—I finally feel part of something bigger.”

— Samina, Participant

“Volunteering here has changed my life. I’ve learned digital skills, helped others find housing solutions, and even landed a new job thanks to the people I met!”

— Ade, Volunteer and Skills Workshop Graduate

“I never thought I’d celebrate Diwali and Eid in the same space, let alone share music from Mohammed Rafi. This Café truly shows how differences can unite us.”

— Peter, Participant

“The training I received helped me build confidence. I got a part-time job, and I’m working towards more advanced IT skills. My kids are proud of me!”

— Nalini, Workshop Attendee

“We deal with every human issue here: if you have a problem, the community stands with you until we find a solution. I’ve never felt so supported.”

— Ali, Café Visitor

“I used to feel invisible in my community. At the Togetherness Café, people actually listen. Now I’m volunteering, making friends, and feeling more confident about my future.”

— Razia, Café Participant

“Being able to attend digital literacy classes for free has been a game-changer. I’ve gone from barely using a smartphone to helping others fill out online forms. It’s a real community of shared skills!”

— Martin, Digital Workshop Learner

“It’s incredible how one space can bring so many cultures together. I made my first friend from a different religion here, and we’ve been learning so much from each other.”

— Beena, Community Member

“We celebrated my mother’s 70th birthday with people we met through the Café—a mix of ages and backgrounds. I never knew such a warm, inclusive community existed. It truly feels like family.”

— Kamran, Regular Attendee

“Whenever I have a question about benefits or housing, the Resource and Advice Centre is my first stop. They’ve guided me through every form and even helped me connect with legal aid. Without them, I’d be lost.”

— Sarah, Advice Service User

“I used to be nervous about joining group activities, but the Café’s friendly atmosphere changed that. Now, I participate in cooking demos and English conversation classes, and I’ve gained so much confidence.”

— Eva, Workshop Participant

“I got a job thanks to the employability training here! The volunteers helped with my CV, interview prep, and even gave me the courage to apply. This place truly empowers people.”

— Craig, Former Volunteer and Job Seeker

“We come to every festival they hold—Eid, Diwali, Vaisakhi, Christmas. It’s the most fun our family has all year, and it reminds us we’re all one community, no matter where we come from.”

— Sanjeet, Parent and Attendee

“When I lost my husband, the bereavement support and mindfulness sessions saved me from a very dark place. I never imagined I could find healing in a community setting, but that’s exactly what happened.”

— Fatima, Bereavement Café Visitor

“As a volunteer, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this Café is more than just a space—it’s a lifeline. People walk in with heavy burdens and leave feeling heard, supported, and hopeful.”

— Diane, Volunteer

Main Highlights of the People Powered Places Programme

1. Seldom-Heard Voices Engaged

• The Café’s inclusive approach shattered traditional barriers. Marginalised individuals participated and contributed ideas, often for the very first time.

1. Real and Meaningful Change

• The Café’s success isn’t simply about attendance; it’s about true transformation—lonely individuals discovered friendships, unemployed participants found jobs, and people struggling with mental health improved their emotional well-being.

1. Unified and Diverse Community

• Multiple ethnicities, faiths, and age groups co-exist here harmoniously. The Café’s guiding principle of “No one is left behind” has redefined community engagement, exemplifying how bridging cultural gaps enriches everyone.

1. A Unique Hub for Every Human Issue

• Beyond the usual scope of community centres, The Togetherness Café addresses real problems—housing, welfare benefits, emotional support—in a single, welcoming space.
• Participants appreciate the unwavering solidarity: “Your problem is our shared problem.”

1. Equity in Practice

• By validating each individual’s needs and experiences, the Café ensures that every voice is heard and respected. This ethos extends to signposting participants to the right services, forging fruitful partnerships across the borough.

1. Award-Winning Excellence

• Recognised as a winner of the Co-create in Newham initiative and recipient of the Rotary Award for Community Cohesion, The Togetherness Café has received accolades for its innovative approach to community-building.

Conclusion

The Togetherness Café shines as a beacon of hope and connection in Newham, demonstrating the transformative power of empathy, inclusivity, and genuine community collaboration. From its holistic support services and cultural events to its health-focused programmes and skill-building workshops, the Café has touched thousands of lives, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond its walls.

At the core of its success is a simple yet profound conviction: no one should ever feel alone, unheard, or unsupported. The Café’s unwavering commitment to this principle has not only enriched the present-day experiences of individuals but also laid the groundwork for a more compassionate, unified future. In this space, differences become strengths, shared problems spark collective solutions, and every participant—regardless of age, background, or circumstance—truly blooms.

By continuing to foster these inclusive values and strengthening inter-agency collaborations, The Togetherness Café will remain at the forefront of community cohesion and innovation, serving as a model for neighborhoods nationwide.