Creating Communities: The Educafe Podcast

In this final episode of Creating Communities: The Educafe Podcast, host Jamie Adam explores what makes Educafe work—and how its place-based, people-centred model is being shaped for long-term sustainability and wider impact. Jamie is joined by Janine Ford, Co-Director of Educafe, and Chris Bond from the Aster Foundation, alongside volunteer Alison, who shares her experience supporting visitors through welcome, connection, and practical signposting. Together, they unpack “The Educafe Recipe”: the volunteers, partnerships, planning, and funding that allow Educafe to run a weekly community event for over 150 people while staying human, inclusive, and responsive to need.  In this episode, we explore: The vital role of volunteers in creating welcoming, supportive community spaces How place-based community work and free access to public spaces enable impact Why partnerships with libraries, charities, councils, and funders matter What it takes to plan and deliver a large-scale weekly community event How the Aster Foundation social incubator helped Educafe think sustainably Turning community activities into replicable, fundable models The importance of impact measurement, structure, and mindset How National Lottery funding created headspace for growth and reflection Preventing burnout while protecting warmth, care, and connection The vision behind the Togetherness Project and future collaboration Alison shares how her volunteer role allows her to support people through practical signposting, emotional connection, and local knowledge; often helping individuals access housing, mental health support, and other vital services. Janine and Chris reflect on the turning point that came from stepping out of day-to-day delivery to work on the organisation; breaking Educafe into sustainable components, understanding its true impact, and exploring how its model could be replicated in other communities. This episode offers an honest and inspiring look at how community projects can grow without losing their soul, and why care, collaboration, and long-term thinking are essential for lasting social change. If you are inspired by what you hear you can find out more about Educafe and how you can set one up in your area using our Toolkit or How to Support Us. If you’re feeling generous, you can buy us a coffee.   This is a Research Podcasts production.  Credits: Presenter: Jamie Adam, Research Podcasts Guests: Janine Ford, Educafe and Chris Bond, Aster Foundation Producer: Jamie Adam, Research Podcasts You can read a transcript of this conversation here.

In Episode 4 of Creating Communities: The Educafe Podcast, we explore how Educafe’s community projects in West Berkshire help people take meaningful stepping stones toward social wellbeing, mental health recovery, confidence building, and pathways back into work. This episode highlights how simple social interactions such as sharing a cup of tea, joining a group activity, or talking to volunteers can transform lives and reduce social isolation. We begin with a moving interview with Ginette, a long-standing Educafe participant who describes how discovering the Knit & Natter group supported her through serious mental health challenges, helped her rebuild confidence, create routine, make friends, and regain a sense of purpose and belonging. Her story shows the power of creative community activities, peer support, and safe social spaces in improving wellbeing. Host Jamie Adam is then joined by volunteers Magdalene Wind-Mozley and Penny Locke, and Employment Coach & Community Support leader Isabel King. Together, they discuss: How community-based social interactions support mental health and emotional wellbeing The role of volunteering and practical activities in building confidence How Educafe welcomes people facing anxiety, bereavement, disability, autism, ADHD, or long periods out of employment Why flexible, people centred support is vital for helping people return to work How Educafe connects diverse groups, refugees, parents, older adults, young people - to create a sense of belonging and community cohesion The ripple effect of kindness, inclusion, and trust-building How local partnerships and nonprofit collaboration strengthen community resources  Educafe’s unique approach - open, accessible, and rooted in local community needs - creates a supportive environment where people can safely practice social skills, explore volunteering, build confidence, and gently take steps toward employment, education, or renewed independence. If you’re interested in community wellbeing, grassroots support networks, mental health recovery, social connection, nonprofit work, flexible volunteering, or inclusive community spaces tune in to this episode of Creating Communities: The Educafe Podcast. If you are inspired by what you hear you can find out more about Educafe and how you can set one up in your area using our Toolkit or How to Support Us. If you’re feeling generous, you can buy us a coffee.   This is a Research Podcasts production.  Credits: Presenter: Jamie Adam, Research Podcasts Guests: Magdalene Wind-Mozley and Penny Locke, Educafe and Isabel King, Ways Into Work Producer: Jamie Adam, Research Podcasts You can read a transcript of this conversation here.

In this episode of Creating Communities: The Educafe Podcast, host Jamie Adam explores how Parent Village, one of Educafe’s community projects, supports new parents, carers, and families with children under five across West Berkshire. Designed as a free, welcoming, drop-in space, Parent Village offers both practical support and emotional connection during what can be one of the most joyful, but also isolating, periods of life. Jamie is joined by Subia Azmat, Parent Village Project Manager, Dr Wenjin Dai, Senior Lecturer at the Open University, and Educafe service user Patricia, who share personal and professional insights into how community-led parenting support can reduce social isolation, improve postpartum mental health, and help families feel confident, connected, and supported.  In this episode, we explore: How Parent Village provides free, flexible practical and emotional support for new parents Why accessible community spaces are vital in tackling loneliness and isolation after birth The value of peer support and expert-led sessions, from breastfeeding to sleep advice How volunteering and skill-sharing strengthen nonprofit organisations and local communities The financial pressures of early parenthood and how free community projects reduce barriers How Parent Village inspired academic research into motherhood, work, and inequality The development of toolkits for parents and employers supporting return-to-work transitions Service user Patricia shares how discovering Parent Village shortly after giving birth helped her feel calm, reassured, and welcomed, leading her to give back by volunteering her research and data analysis skills to support Educafe’s funding and impact evaluation. Subia and Wenjin reflect on what makes Parent Village unique: its warmth, inclusivity, flexibility, and the simple power of creating a space where parents can walk in, ask questions, build friendships, and feel part of a community. If you are inspired by what you hear you can find out more about Educafe and how you can set one up in your area using our Toolkit or How to Support Us. If you’re feeling generous, you can buy us a coffee.   This is a Research Podcasts production.  Credits: Presenter: Jamie Adam, Research Podcasts Guests: Subia Azmat, Educafe and Dr Wenjin Dai, Open University Producer: Jamie Adam, Research Podcasts You can read a transcript of this conversation here.

In this opening episode of Creating Communities, host Jamie speaks with Clare Middleton, Founder and Co-Director of EduCafe CIC, and Mark Brown, West Berkshire Council’s Lead for Adult & Community Learning.  Together, they share the inspiring story of how EduCafe grew from a small English-conversation meet up into a thriving weekly community hub supporting up to 200 people every Wednesday. Clare reflects on her journey from running the Berkshire School of English to creating a warm, informal space where people of all ages and backgrounds could practise English, meet new people, and access friendly support. What began as a simple idea quickly developed into a lively, volunteer-powered gathering offering social connection, language learning support, community advice, family activities, and wellbeing sessions. Mark brings the council perspective, explaining how local partnerships helped EduCafe scale during key moments of change - particularly as the community welcomed Syrian, Afghan, Hong Kong, and Ukrainian families. He highlights how hubs like EduCafe play a vital role in building confidence, fostering belonging, and strengthening community cohesion across West Berkshire. Together, Clare and Mark explore: The impact of community hubs in reducing isolation and boosting wellbeing The importance of English conversation spaces for confidence and integration How strong partnerships between councils, libraries, and charities create lasting change Why volunteers are at the heart of EduCafe’s success The unique atmosphere inside Newbury Library every Wednesday How flexible, responsive community support can adapt to fast-changing needs Clare also introduces the Togetherness Programme, a new initiative designed to help other areas set up their own version of EduCafe, whether a full weekly hub or smaller elements like Parent Village or Chatty Corner, to meet local needs. The episode closes with thoughtful advice for anyone wanting to start their own community project: listen closely, start before you feel ready, choose partners who share your values, and build slowly but consistently. A warm, insightful conversation about how connection, kindness, and collaboration can transform a whole community. If you are inspired by what you hear you can find out more about Educafe and how you can set one up in your area using our Toolkit or How to Support Us. If you’re feeling generous, you can buy us a coffee.  This is a Research Podcasts production.  Credits: Presenter: Jamie Adam, Research Podcasts Guests: Clare Middleton, Educafe and Mark Brown, West Berkshire Council  Producer: Jamie Adam, Research Podcasts You can read a transcript of this conversation here.

Introducing Creating Communities: The Educafe Podcast. Over the course of the series, we will be shining a light on the amazing work being done by Educafe, a non-profit organization based in West Berkshire that delivers people centred projects that strengthens communities.You'll hear from the founders, the volunteers, partners that work with Educafe, as well as the service users. Alongside heartfelt stories and insightful conversation there will also be practical advice for anyone who is running a community group or thinking about starting one.If you are interested in hearing firsthand about the power of community, this is the podcast for you.If you are inspired by what you hear you can find out more about Educafe and how you can set one up in your area using our Toolkit or How to Support Us. If you’re feeling generous, you can buy us a coffee.  This is a Research Podcasts production.