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Pop-up cafe celebrates ‘power of kindness and connection’
Civic, faith and charity leaders gathered at the Vassall Centre in Fishponds to send a clear message as divisive rhetoric continues to dominate the airwaves: care, kindness and community are alive and well in the city.
The “Hope Cafe” event formed part of Bristol’s response to A Million Acts of Hope Week of Action, a national campaign led by HOPE not hate, the UK’s leading anti-fascist organisation.
There was tea, cake, singing, fun activities and laughter in good measure.
Attendees gathered at a pop-up cafe inside the Vassall Centre on Friday, where cakes and cookies were prepared and served by the trainees from Props.
Attendees gathered at a pop-up cafe inside the Vassall Centre, where freshly baked cakes and cookies were prepared and served by the trainees from Props – photo: Milan Perera
Props, the Bristol-based charity that supports adults with learning difficulties, recently joined the Bristol Charities group to scale up its offerings.
Hosted by Bristol Charities and Strike Communications, the event also featured performances from the Sing for Happiness choir, led by St George’s Bristol, alongside creative activities for attendees such as painting pebbles.
The choral anthems, especially Mbelle Mama, went down a treat with the attendees and joined in with clapping.
Sing for Happiness choir, led by St George’s Bristol, entertained the attendees with a trio of choral anthems – photo: Milan Perera
There were also speeches from Zoe Williams, partnership and event manager at Bristol Charities and Catherine Frankpitt, founder of Strike Communications on the significance of the event, especially in the current backdrop of division and hatred.
Local politicians have also sent their best wishes.
West of England mayor Helen Godwin lauded the region’s “community spirit” and shared values of “tolerance, inclusion and compassion”
She said: “Today’s event in Fishponds was a timely reminder of the power of kindness and social connection here in the West Country.
There were also speeches from Zoe Williams, partnership and event manager at Bristol Charities and Catherine Frankpitt, founder of Strike Communications on the significance of the event – photo: Strike
“I am proud of the special community spirit that runs throughout our region – which is home to acts of hope every day – and of our shared values of tolerance, inclusion and compassion.”
Bristol Central MP Carla Denyer also sent best wishes for the event highlighting a city that “refuses to give in to hostility and division”.
She added: “Bristol is a city which refuses to give in to hostility and division.
Sing for Happiness choir was on song during the event – photo: Strike
“Events like Friday’s ‘Hope Cafe’ showcase the best of our city: united in our desire to look out for each other and to create a kinder world. I am very pleased to support this local event as part of A Million Acts of Hope.”
Speaking to Bristol24/7 Julian Mines, chief executive of Bristol Charities, said: “What you’ve seen here is an amazing mix of people from local folks that are involved in the space here at the Vassal Center, and various civic leaders, various charity workers and church workers, all sorts of people coming together really to celebrate hope.
“I think the one thing we all need is the ability to look forward and believe that there are better times ahead,” said Julian Mines, chief executive of Bristol Charities- photo: Milan Perera
“There’s a lot of change going on in the world, a lot of challenges, and I think the one thing we all need is the ability to look forward and believe that there are better times ahead.”
Hope Cafe was organised by Bristol Charities and Strike Communications and supported by Props, St George’s Bristol and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
Civic, faith and charity leaders gathered at the Vassall Centre for a pop-up cafe to send a clear message during the times of division and hatred – photo: Strike
Sophie Jerrold, director of fundraising and communications, Bristol Charities, added: “It was a pleasure to welcome so many residents from Frome Vale, alongside people from across Bristol’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, through the doors of the Vassall Centre this morning.
“When the world can feel overwhelming, it is small acts of kindness and caring that matter the most. This event showed that Bristol is full of hope.”
Main photo: Milan Perera
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