Reviews

Educafe has helped me to rebuild my confidence after a very difficult period in my life where I was threatened with redundancy and had Covid 19 to cope with. I had lost a lot of confidence in my abilities and it was suggested to me that with my background in teaching, the Chatty Corner could really benefit. I gained my mojo back, made new friends, whilst feeling a renewed sense of pride in helping people feel welcome and at home in Newbury. I also got to try new activities which helped my mental and physical health such as chair yoga. 

Educafe has changed my life. I retired just before lockdown and spent many hours on my own. I lost all confidence and felt very alone. I walked past the cafe when it was in the globe. One of the volunteers was outside and asked if I would like a coffee. I went in and joined the ladies at the knit and natter table. Everyone one was so welcoming I enjoyed my visit and have been visiting every week since. I have made some wonderful friends. I have witnessed a lot of others coming together. There is something there for everyone, the most important being friendship and company  

It's very good interacting with other people, even if you didn't talk to them you are interacting and watching everything going on. I'm a full-time carer and it gives me a break being here, I'm with my husband 24/7 and we both need a change of scenery. It's very friendly and we are warm here, my husband is chronically ill and really feels the cold and our 1 bedroom flat cost £3k to heat last year. Educafe gives me a reason to get out of the house and socialise despite challenging times. It’s helped me feel more connected to my community. 

  Educafe is a very helpful organisation, because it helps to overcome many mental issues for those who has to settle there life in a new world. You can not only practice your English but share with your problems and find the solution and support. Personally for me it was a salvation at the beginning of my being in Newbury. Can't find the words how difficult it was for me when I was absolutely along and I waited for every Wednesday to retreat my soul and practise English.  

  I’ve never felt more part of a community than this one and I’ve only been living here for 5 years. It’s thanks to Educafe I feel at home and settled here. I have made new friends through Educafe and found support networks unlike I’ve had elsewhere. It’s incredible to be part of this community and I see so many others who feel the same. It’s very special. 

I love the chatty corner community. I have met so many new people with fascinating stories and life experiences. I had no idea the community in and around Newbury was so vibrant and diverse until I started volunteering. Refugees are making our communities stronger. I wish more people would meet them and interact with them to make this personal connection to larger global issues.  

I love Educafe. I feel connected to my community and it makes me feel so positive and energised. I feel part of something very important and unique, I would not get to socialise with such a varied group of people without Educafe. I have been coming for over 2 years, since the start. 
  Supporting people with mental health, housing or health issues is so important. I believe I make a real difference to people's lives. Signposting them to services and really listening.  I have taken a young man to Eight Bells for mental health support and Loose Ends for food. He came into Educafe and said he had hardly eaten in 2 weeks after losing his job. 
 
I have been to Housing with a vulnerable woman who was in temporary housing. She was very stressed and has severe anxiety. I have also helped her online at the library to sign up for NHS prescription pre payment. 
 
I have lost count of the lonely and bereaved who I have signposted to bereavement support. Many others I have engaged with Citizens Advice. 
 
I have also seen countless refugees use Educafe as a lifeline. Their route to being part of the community and working is through learning English and being welcomed into the heart of Educafe. 
 
This doesn't even cover everything that makes me love Educafe and volunteering here. I have friends who are 89 and 94 now, they are the best and I bring my 10 year old daughter in to see them when I can. She now has adopted grandads!

Parent village at Educafe has been an incredibly important resource for me. I first started attending as a new mum in the middle of a mental breakdown having been told that there were friendly faces and support available. I found open minds, freedom to express my anxiety and mum guilt, a shoulder or two to cry on and an empowering experience sharing my experience with others and hearing about others' lives. I attended religiously for the entirety of my maternity leave with my son, and have returned now with my second child. Over the years I have watched Educafe grow expansively and would be so saddened to see it close. It is one of the only reliable, free and welcoming community centres that supports mums and allows us the freedom to be ourselves without the shame and expectations laid down so often by society. When my mental health was really bad, I was often the first to arrive and the last to leave as it felt like home more than my empty house. I have grown so much and that is in large part thanks to Educafe and the women it allowed me to meet. 

It’s not only getting Education with cafe, but also getting a sense of friendship and love that can be passed on to others. It will make society a better place if there are more Educafe. 

Coming out is a lifeline. Coming here has helped me settle into the area from Manchester.  

Thank to Educafe Team I have found a big support when I came from war country - Ukraine. I improved English language, I found amazing new friends and work opportunities. I’m so grateful!