A message from our Directors
Last 5 years...
Thank you to our volunteers
A huge thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who give their time, energy and kindness to Educafe each week. Your smiles, conversations and helping hands create the welcoming space our community has come to love.
- Team Educafe
Success story
“When I first came to the UK, I could hardly speak any English. It was a very difficult time for me because I did not feel confident communicating with people.
Over time, everything started to change thanks to the support I found in my local area. I joined speaking clubs and had the opportunity to practise English with volunteers. Everyone was so patient, kind, and supportive. “
“Educafe became much more than just a place to learn English for me. It became a place where I rebuilt my confidence, met new people, and started a new chapter in my life. The kindness and encouragement from everyone there made a huge difference in my life.
Later, I met Rachel through English courses, and she became one of the most supportive person in my journey. She helped me find courses, encouraged me to improve myself, and always believed in me. I am also very grateful to Ellen at Educafe and to all the other volunteers whose support and kindness helped me so much along the way.
Thanks to Rachel, Ellen, Parent Village, and all the volunteers, my confidence grew, my English improved and I started to feel like part of this community. Parent Village is not just a support group; it is a warm community where people truly care about each other, help one another, and make sure nobody feels alone. The kindness, understanding, and support I received there meant so much to me. Moving to a new country can feel very lonely, but Parent Village helped me feel welcomed and supported.
Now, I am also volunteering through Parent Village and it makes me very happy to give something back to the community that supported me so much. Being able to support others, even in a small way, means a lot to me.
I am truly grateful to Rachel and everyone who supported me, and all the other volunteers for their kindness, patience, and support. Thank you for creating such a warm, safe, and welcoming environment for people like me. Happy 5th anniversary!.”
- – Emine (Parent Village volunteer & Education Hub student)
Boat Trip
It was a beautiful opportunity for our Chatters and learners to explore local history, nature and culture while spending meaningful time together as a community.
Your openness, curiosity and joy made the day truly special, and we’re so grateful to share these experiences with you.
And a special thank‑you to Rachel Flynn-Delargy for organizing, The Rose of Hungerford for such a warm welcome to all our visitors and volunteer aboard the boat and Oscar Flynn‑Delargy for capturing the trip so thoughtfully. His filming and editing have helped us preserve the warmth and connection of the day.
Spotlight
Parents Village needs your support to keep going beyond December
Article by Subia Azmat
Parent Village has become a lifeline for so many local families, a place where parents find connection, children thrive and our community grows stronger each week. But with our current funding ending is December, we urgently need the support of local businesses to keep this beautiful project going.
We’re inviting businesses to sponsor a term for £5,000 and help us continue offering free, vital support to parents during the early years of their child’s life.
Parent Village X home-start
Our partnership with Home‑Start continues to grow into something genuinely powerful for local families. Week after week, we see how the gentle, practical support offered through this collaboration is helping parents feel more confident, more connected and less alone. The impact is clear in the latest update shared by Grace Green from Home‑Start, who captures the real stories and small but meaningful changes happening because of this shared work.
Article by Clare Middleton
Every week at Educafe, someone walks through the door carrying more than a notebook or a form, they carry a story. This year alone, over 300 people have joined our Language Support and Resettlement sessions, each one rebuilding confidence word by word, conversation by conversation. Clare Middleton’s latest article follows these journeys up close: The mother learning English so she can speak to her child’s teacher, the young man finding the courage to attend his first community event, the families discovering friendship and belonging in a new country.
Chatty Corner Update
Article by Margaret Neville
The Chatty Corner has had a wonderfully busy and uplifting few months. With over 35 dedicated volunteers supporting the space, out of which 15 – 20 attend each week and over 40 chatters join us regularly, the space continues to thrive as a hub of support, learning and connection.
Visitors now come from more than 15 countries, bringing a rich mix of cultures, ages and experiences. Our volunteers have been helping with everything from housing support and job searching to exam preparation, English practice, and even chair yoga sessions, which have been especially popular with a group of women from Morocco, Afghanistan and Iran.
We’ve also celebrated some inspiring individual achievements, including chatters gaining confidence, finding work and even volunteering within the cafe.
It’s been a truly rewarding period for everyone involved and while the summer break will be welcome, we’re already looking forward to returning in September.
Educafe in the Spotlight
Article by Ellen Hammett
Educafe’s relational, community‑first leadership has been recognised by the Open University, which has created a full case study for its undergraduate leadership module. Our story — from grassroots café to a thriving community hub — will now help shape the learning of 500+ students each year.
Sparking a love of arts in Newbury through our partnerships
This month we’re shining a light on how our partnerships with The Watermill Theatre, The Corn Exchange and the Newbury Spring Festival are opening doors to the arts for hundreds of local residents. From first‑ever theatre trips to confidence‑boosting nights out for volunteers, the impact has been joyful, moving and far‑reaching.
UK Citizenship: Life in the UK
Update by Rachel Flynn-Delgary
Educafe offers supportive classes for anyone preparing for the Life in the UK Test as part of their settlement journey. Our trained teachers break down the content clearly, helping learners understand the history, culture and practical knowledge they need. If you or someone you know is on the UK settlement route, we’re here to help every step of the way.
So far in our LIUK lessons at Newbury College, we have covered 5,000 years’ worth of history ranging from the Stone Age to 1066. Students get to debate “what if” hypotheticals using the third conditional and have group discussions where they play the part of an historical figure arguing their case.
We’ve also covered British geography, laws, citizenship and stereotypes. Not only do we study tricky topics, but we have fun doing it, with students bringing up interesting facts and with communal laughter that can be heard down the corridors of the college! Tomorrow, we are piecing together sections of the Bayeux Tapestry to tell the story, before moving on to Chaucer. Homemade muffins will probably be involved.
News from the Community Cafe
Article by Ellen Hunter Smart
There have been big changes in the Community Cafe in 2026. Jules, our incredibly dedicated Cafe manager, retired in December leaving big shoes to fill – It has taken at least 7 people to replace her! Vivy has stepped up heroically to take on all the setting up, meanwhile the smiling faces of Alison, John, Lyuda, Sara, Domin and Maryna have made sure everyone who has come in has been welcomed and had just the right cup of tea or coffee made for them. The team have undergone Food Health and Hygiene training courses and are diligent in keeping standards as high as ever they were. Smart new Educafe aprons have helped the Café team really look the part.
The 100 teas and coffees we have been serving every week have been beautifully complimented by a vast array of delicious baked goods from our wonderful Bake a Difference Partners. We remain so grateful to the teams at Mary Hare, Honesty, Gail’s and our newest partners, The Cornish Bakery. It’s likely that most visitors to Educafe skip lunch on a Wednesday, so satisfied are they by the food they’ve enjoyed at our wonderful Community Cafe! We also want to thank the teams at the West Berkshire Museum and The Tea Shop by the Canal – their dishwashers mean our cups are washed and sterilised ready for our next session.
If you haven’t been to our Community Cafe yet, please come. We can promise you a very warm welcome!
Moonrakers - Update
Educafe x coat & bear Quiz night
Weekly fundraiser, starting 23rd June, 2026
Bake-a-difference Partners
A huge thank you to our wonderful Bake a Difference partners. Your generous weekly donations keep our community café bubbling with energy and filled with the delicious treats our visitors love. We’re so grateful for your kindness.
Special promotions from our Friends and local Changemakers
🏡 25% off your first meeting room booking
Thatcham Refillable has been run by Jenny and Tom for the last 7 years from their trailer popping up at events and markets in West Berkshire. Last year we refilled over 2000 litres of washing up liquid which is saving around 4000 bottles. We stock:
► washing up liquid ► vinegar ► toilet cleaner ► rinse aid ► liquid hand soap► laundry powder, liquid and washing sheets ► shower gel ► shampoo & conditioner ► Cleaning products such as bicarb, citric acid, green bleach and soda crystals
Refill in person or Tom can deliver like the milkman but not as early in the morning.
Other Friends and Partners
Advertise and support!
Connect with Educafe’s audiences across West Berkshire and beyond while supporting vital programmes for mental wellbeing, community integration, and education.
Your partnership helps sustain services that are a lifeline for many and raises awareness for your business at the same time!
Get involved, reach new audiences and give back to the community
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
- Want to learn more about Educafe or explore a collaboration? These resources aim to support other community weaving organisations who want to make a difference.
- – Podcast
- – Toolkit for community builders
- – Togetherness project
Schedule
Educafe will be back after a summer break on Wednesday 9th of September, 2026. Keep an eye on our social media for updates and upcoming events in 2026.
- Summer Term
- Last day: 8th July
- Summer break: Closed from 15th July – 2nd of September
- Autumn/Winter Term
- Open: 9th September
- Last day: 2nd December
- Christmas Holidays: Closed 9th – 30th of December
- Spring 2027
- Open: 6th January 2027
