Toolkit
Resources to build community belonging & resilience
These resources aim to support and inspire organisations and citizens to strengthen community belonging, resilience and inclusion at a local grassroots level.
If you work in a charity, community group or social enterprise that creates warm, connected, people-centred places where everyone feels welcome and able to thrive, we invite you to explore our learnings captured in this toolkit and connect with us so we can learn about you too!
before you dive in...
Our ethos: caring, supportive and connected
Educafe’s work is rooted in kindness, relational connection and a belief that strong communities grow when people are given space to come together, share skills, learn together and support one another. Over the years, this approach has shaped projects such as the Community Café, Chatty Corner, Parent Village, Knit & Natter and a range of learning, wellbeing, resettlement and employability services. These activities have helped thousands of people build confidence, make friends, gain new skills and feel a sense of belonging.
Whether you are starting a new project or strengthening an existing programme, we hope this this toolkit can enhance your efforts to create spaces where people feel seen, valued and connected – and where community resilience can take root and grow. Please remember to drop us a line and tell us about your project!
Practical examples and inspiration
We hope these resources offer practical examples of how to welcome newcomers, support diverse communities, develop partnerships, build sustainable income, and foster a culture of mutual support. They are not presented as fixed instructions; instead, they are a starting point for inspiration and adaptation, allowing organisations to shape approaches that work in their own local context.
This toolkit is likely to grow and evolve over time – like we have! If you think there’s something missing or a resource you’d like us to add, please drop us a line.
where to start? 3 simple steps...
- 1. GET TO KNOW US
- If you’re completely new to Educafe, listen first to our Educafe Podcast – Creating Community before exploring our toolkit.
2. EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES
Once you have a clearer picture of who we are and what we do, it’s time to dive into our toolkit. Scan through the sections below and see which areas and resources are of most interest to you.
3. CONNECT WITH US
If you’re interested in collaborating, tell us about your project by completing our Togetherness Project form and we’ll be in touch.
Resources
Guides, tools and templates aimed to inform and assist other community weavers.
Stories, news and progress shared along the way.
Peel back the curtain on Educafe’s story and how we work with our community.
Real life stories of personal transformations and community impact.
Essential resources to inspire citizens, those who care about our world and future generations.
They are the key to your connected community.
Building a network of organisations who strengthen community connection and resilience
Educafe Turns Five – How We built a Resilient Community Ecosystem