The Canvas: Cafe Collective
Thriving communities, one cafe at a time.
Across the UK, community cafes are bringing people together and helping good things happen locally.
The Canvas Cafe Collective connects these brilliant cafes so they can learn from one another, share ideas and help their communities thrive.
More than a place for coffee
At a time of isolation and division, community cafes create everyday opportunities to bring us together.
The Collective supports our cafe members to embody these 3 pillars:
A warm welcome. A familiar face. Somewhere you can come on your own and feel part of things.
A platform for local voices, ideas and action that makes life better for the community.
A local group meeting every week. A community pantry or pay-it-forward board. People finding ways to support one another.
Meet our Cafes
Different places, different people, a shared commitment to community. Meet the cafe owners and teams making a difference where they live.
Be part of it
Running a community cafe takes care, energy and imagination. Being connected to others doing similar things can make all the difference.
Through seasonal online gatherings, our collective WhatsApp group and shared stories, members exchange ideas, support one another and help demonstrate the difference community cafes make.
Membership is free and by invitation, following a recommendation from a customer or another community cafe.
Know a neighbourhood cafe making a difference?
Tell us about it. Your nomination could help a much-loved local cafe find support, share its ideas and become part of something bigger.
Please ask the cafe owner’s permission before nominating them.
Stay connected
Stories from our cafes, ideas for bringing people together and news from the Collective.
Sign up for our newsletter →