Educafe is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a five-year grant worth nearly £400,000 by The National Lottery’s Community Fund.  

The funding brings much-needed security to our flagship operations at Newbury Library and encompasses a two-year project to share our successful model with other communities.

Our small team of part-time staff and over fifty volunteers who provide community mental health, early years, employability and resettlement support are now safe for the foreseeable future and our key weekly services – the Cafe, Knit and Natter and Chatty Corner (English conversation sessions) – will continue to operate and be free to all.  

So much achieved in such little time

Since launching in 2021, Educafe has welcomed over 20,000 visitors aged from just 6 weeks to 96 years old. Our visitors and volunteers who participate come from all walks of life, some are born and bred in West Berkshire and many who are new to the area. Our socially innovative and radical approach of providing a free year-round weekly event for 150 people has won the heart of our community, rallied volunteers, received media attention and awards.  

Operations & Volunteer Manager, Fee Bentley-Taylor says:

“It’s such a powerful community spirit which is brought to life here. Every week I see that we are helping to build a healthier, more connected community, better futures for people and a kinder world. This funding is transformational.” 

Every Wednesday, our incredible team of active and dedicated volunteers help to deliver free English conversation sessions to help newcomers gain confidence and independence. There’s a meet and greet system to ensure a warm welcome to new faces. A Knit and Natter group contributes knitted goods to neonatal units and other charities. Most importantly, volunteers are trained to provide a listening ear to new parents, other visitors and offer peer support and community navigation.   

Collaborations with other community organisations and small businesses help to sustain operations with local parent and fitness experts, catering companies and schools pitching in their time and cake to help (see our Friends of Educafe and Bake A Difference programmes). 

A game-changer for community wellbeing  

Since opening, public demand and need has continued to increase as local funding has dwindled. Our team have had an uphill struggle to maintain services and our existence has been in constant jeopardy since the expiry of West Berkshire Council’s contract which ended in March 2024.  

Despite these challenges and thanks to hard work, careful financial management and heroic volunteer efforts on all fronts, this TNL funding has landed at a critical time.  

“Educafe has helped to improve the lives of thousands of people from different communities and backgrounds and we’re proud and happy that the value we bring to West Berkshire has been recognised. This grant allows us to not only continue our work in Newbury, but also take its success and spread the magic elsewhere,” says Janine Ford, Director.