Café Hope

BBC Radio 4
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Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop with Rachel Burden, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make the world a better place in big and small ways. We're all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. Trying is the key, because this is real life, and not everything goes smoothly. In Café Hope we hear about the struggles and the triumphs in equal measure.

  1. 3D AGO

    Garden therapy

    Dr Susan Taheri, an NHS GP and creator of the Growing Well Garden, tells Rachel Burden how the project is supporting both her own and her patients' wellbeing. The space is used in a variety of ways including drop-in sessions and nature based activities. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip and celebrating the people making the world a better place. We're all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community or it might be about trying to make one life a little easier. And the key here is in the trying. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it's always worth a go. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Jill Collins Sound Design: Richard Hannaford Editor: Clare Fordham

    14 min

  2. FEB 9

    Community fitness

    Hermen Dange, the founder of Made Running, tells Rachel Burden how the club is creating a community-driven environment, inclusive to everyone, no matter what their level of fitness. The club motto is 'no-one is left behind'. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip and celebrating the people making the world a better place. We're all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community or it might be about trying to make one life a little easier. And the key here is in the trying. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it's always worth a go. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Jill Collins Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham

    14 min

  3. FEB 2

    Patient friends

    Jamie McDonald, founder of Ward Buddies, tells Rachel Burden how the team spend time with young children in hospital when the parents or carers can't be there. The charity's trained volunteers might read stories, play games or just provide comfort through touch and presence. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip and celebrating the people making the world a better place. We're all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community or it might be about trying to make one life a little easier. And the key here is in the trying. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it's always worth a go. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Jill Collins Sound Design: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham

    14 min

  4. JAN 26

    Pigeon protection

    Hannah Hall from Penny's Pigeon Aid tells Rachel Burden about their work to rescue and rehabilitate pigeons. The welfare charity doesn't encourage people to domesticate pigeons or increase their population, but they do want to educate people on these birds and promote kindness towards them. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip and celebrating the people making the world a better place. We're all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community or it might be about trying to make one life a little easier. And the key here is in the trying. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it's always worth a go. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham

    14 min

  5. JAN 19

    Change Please

    Cemal Ezel, from Change Please, tells Rachel Burden how they help address homelessness by selling coffee. The social enterprise trains homeless people for employment through the sale of coffee, offering them a living wage, housing and therapy support. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip and celebrating the people making the world a better place. We're all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community or it might be about trying to make one life a little easier. And the key here is in the trying. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it's always worth a go. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham

    14 min

  6. JAN 12

    Pet Blood Bank

    Lara Howe, from the Pet Blood Bank, tells Rachel Burden how dogs are helping to save the lives of their fellow canines by donating blood. The charity runs donation sessions across the country and the blood is stored at a processing centre, separated into different products and distributed to vets when required. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café , cooking up plans, hearing the gossip, and celebrating the people making the world a better place. We're all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it's always worth a go. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor Clare Fordham

    14 min

  7. 12/18/2025

    Cafe Hope's Christmas Dinner

    Join Rachel Burden for Café Hope’s Christmas Dinner where we’ve swapped our virtual café for a real one – the perfectly named Café Hope in Glasgow - for a chat and a cake or two. We’ll hear how the community café is run by young people mentored and trained by professional chefs. And we’ll hear how all our guests are trying to make Christmas better for people in big or small ways. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they’re doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip, and celebrating the people making the world a better place. We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham

    37 min

  8. 11/24/2025

    Confidence building

    Trystan Jones, from The Community Impact Initiative, tells Rachel Burden how teaching communites building skills also improved their confidence and wellbeing. The social enterprise picks empty houses in deprived areas to renovate and make available to the community or vulnerable groups that need them most. Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they’re doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip, and celebrating the people making the world a better place. We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go. You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Rachel Burden Series Producer: Uma Doraiswamy Sound Design: Nicky Edwards Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Clare Fordham

    14 min
See All (55)

About

Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop with Rachel Burden, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they're doing to make the world a better place in big and small ways. We're all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. Trying is the key, because this is real life, and not everything goes smoothly. In Café Hope we hear about the struggles and the triumphs in equal measure.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    Café Hope

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