Event description
Community cafés are a popular choice for development trusts and community groups looking to create a welcoming space, and offer local services. But what really makes a café successful? The answer often starts with a clear sense of purpose.
This session will explore how defining your café’s purpose, whether as a social hub, a training space, or an income-generating venture, can shape the decisions you make. We’ll hear directly from DTAS member trusts about their café journeys, including what their original purpose was, how it has evolved, and the successes and challenges they’ve encountered along the way.
There will also be insights from Plunkett UK on operational structures and trends across their members’ cafés, plus a chance to discuss and ask questions.
Hosted by: DTAS
Guest speaker information: Plunkett UK, Gorebridge Community Development Trust, Bùth Bharraigh Ltd, and Twechar Healthy Living & Enterprise Centre.
What will I gain from this event?
- Clarity on how defining your café’s purpose can guide decisions and boost its impact
- Real stories from development trusts – their journeys, changes in purpose, successes and challenges
- Ideas and inspiration for different café models – income-generating, social hub, or training space
- Practical insights on operations, sustainability, and increasing your café’s resilience
- Signposting to further support, resources, and potential networking opportunities
Who is this event for?
Whether you currently run a community café or are thinking about doing so, this event is for you.
Open to any DTAS Aspiring, Provisional and Full Members, COSS clients and Democratic Finance supported organisations.
Where is this event taking place?
Online - Zoom.
Do I have to pay to attend?
No, it’s free.
