Progress update from new Educafe pilot at Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre
The Moonrakers Educafe at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre continues to grow as a welcoming and creative community space, with each session building momentum, connection, and confidence among guests and volunteers alike.
A Growing and Supportive Community
While recent attendance numbers remain modest at around 15 guests, the impact is already significant. Encouragingly, the Educafe has welcomed returning visitors, alongside its regular Migration Stories group. This blend of familiar faces and new connections is helping to create a warm, inclusive atmosphere where relationships can flourish.
The Migration Stories group, in particular, has become a hub of creativity and joy. Participants are not only developing meaningful creative work but are clearly enjoying the process—an energy that carries through into the wider café environment. With free cake and a growing selection of drinks, the Educafe continues to offer a genuinely inviting space where people feel comfortable spending time together.
Celebrating Identity and Inclusion
A recent highlight was the Educafe’s celebration of Pride Month. Guests and volunteers came together to mark the occasion, with some proudly joining a group photograph in support of Wiltshire Pride. The moment reflected the inclusive values at the heart of the Educafe and celebrated the contribution of its diverse community, including the work of a valued LGBTQ+ volunteer.
Creativity at the Heart of the Educafe
Creative collaboration is becoming a defining feature of the Moonrakers Educafe. Guests have been enthusiastically contributing to a shared “Moonraking Tree” craft project—a symbolic piece designed to represent welcome, friendship, connection, and belonging.
The enthusiasm has been striking. One participant was so engaged that she returned early the next morning, knitting needles in hand, asking for more wool so she could continue contributing. Alongside this, progress has begun on a collaborative bunting project. Impressively, between volunteers and guests, the Educafe community already represents seven different spoken languages. Plans are underway to stitch messages of welcome in each of these languages onto the bunting, which will be displayed when the Educafe takes part in the Chippenham Carnival procession in July.
Building Confidence and Access to Heritage
One of the most meaningful measures of success has been the way the Educafe is helping individuals feel more confident engaging with the History Centre itself. During a recent session, guests explored local studies resources, with support from volunteers to research topics of personal interest.
In one particularly powerful example, a guest who had previously felt intimidated about entering the History Centre—fearing she might be judged—has now booked a session with the Wiltshire Family History Society. This step represents a significant breakthrough, demonstrating how the Educafe is successfully lowering barriers and creating a gentle, supportive pathway into heritage and learning.
A Positive Shift in Energy
There is a noticeable shift in the atmosphere at recent sessions. Alongside the consistently friendly and welcoming environment, there is now a growing sense of shared purpose and belonging. Volunteers and guests are beginning to “gel” as a community, with stronger relationships forming week by week.
This progress reflects the dedication of everyone involved—not only those who attend sessions in person, but also those contributing behind the scenes, whether through new working groups or simply by spreading the word about the Educafe.
Looking Ahead: New Collaborations and Opportunities
Exciting developments are on the horizon. In July, art students from New College Swindon will begin supporting the Educafe’s creative activities. Coming from a range of international backgrounds, the students are already preparing engaging sessions that promise to broaden the Educafe’s creative offer. Preparations are underway to promote these sessions and source the necessary materials.
Strengthening Volunteer Involvement
As the Educafe evolves, there are increasing opportunities for volunteers to shape its future. A range of working groups has been introduced, covering areas such as coordination, set-up, IT systems, social media, volunteer onboarding, fundraising, and activity support. These groups will help ensure the Educafe remains sustainable, responsive, and truly community-led.
Regular volunteer planning sessions will also continue, ensuring that ideas, feedback, and collaboration remain central to the Educafe’s development. Importantly, there are plans to begin involving guests in shaping the programme as well—further reinforcing the Educafe’s ethos of being run “by and for the community.”
Continuing the Journey
The Moonrakers Educafe is still in its early stages, but the progress so far is both visible and inspiring. From creative collaboration and cultural celebration to building confidence and fostering connection, the Educafe is already making a meaningful difference.
With growing community engagement, new partnerships, and a dedicated team of volunteers, the future looks bright. As momentum continues to build, the Educafe stands as a powerful example of how small, welcoming spaces can create lasting impact—one conversation, one activity, and one connection at a time.
To find out more about the Moonrakers Educafe and the work taking place at Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, visit their website.
If you’re inspired by what you’ve read and are interested in starting an Educafe in your own community, we would love to hear from you.
Get in touch to learn more and explore how you can become part of our Togetherness Project, helping to create welcoming spaces that foster connection, creativity, and belonging.
