Our immediate area does not have other free/open community spaces for (particularly) women and children to gather. Many feel unsafe on the streets with high levels of violence in recent years. Our warm welcoming space meets an urgent and ongoing need for connection and safety. Many of our community are refugees and asylum seekers and face big challenges resettling in Bristol. Many people who come to the cafe have experienced racism and anti-migrant comment. Baraka is a big hug for our community!

We want to build longer tables not higher walls and our large community space with its amazing Baraka Community Cafe is a home from home for many families: A warm welcoming place to rest, meet others and connect with the community! The cafe also provides a welcoming space for our refugee community who call it 'home', a route into employment for refugees and asylum seekers through the volunteer programme and links with English (ESOL)/Sewing/Barista/Food Hygiene classes that run regularly here.