A new café aimed at creating a safe and welcoming space for intercultural engagement has opened in Derry.
Developed by the North West Migrants Forum, The People’s Café was officially launched on Saturday in the Embassy Building on the city’s Strand Road.
Supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the café is designed as a place where people seeking asylum, those granted international protection, migrant and diaspora communities and those from racialised minoritised backgrounds can come together and engage with one another and the broader community.
As well as a comfortable meeting place, the café boasts laundry facilities and a fully operational training kitchen designed to equip individuals with the skills to volunteer in the community and potentially secure employment in the hospitality industry.
Among those to offer their support to The People’s Café, which is funded through Derry City and Strabane District Council’s PEACEPLUS Local Co-Designed Action Plan, were Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission Geraldine McGahey and Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Grace Uí Niallais.
Chief Executive of the North West Migrants Forum, Lilian Seenoi Barr, described the launch as the beginning of a new chapter for the charity she set up 14 years ago.
“This is a very exciting time for us, the delivery of a vision the North West Migrants Forum has had since its establishment in 2012,” Mrs Barr said.
“That vision was for a safe and welcoming venue where those seeking asylum, those granted sanctuary, migrants, international students and those from a racialised minoritised background can meet and engage with the wider community on a casual but enlightening basis.
“What we have done is take an unused premises in the heart of Derry and transformed it into a welcoming space where people of all backgrounds can come together to celebrate cultural diversity and where community connection and solidarity can be strengthened.”
Under the tutelage of Craft Training, 30 participants will use the kitchen to gain knowledge of topics essential to active volunteering in the café and potentially building a career in the culinary industry.
These include catering operations, menu planning, health and safety and food hygiene. Training in marketing and communication, confidence building and presentation will also be provided, further contributing to personal and professional growth.
Sue Divin, Derry City and Strabane District Council’s PEACEPLUS Programme Manager, said, “The concept for the Intercultural Café arose from a co-design process in the council area, with local communities identifying the issues and suggesting solutions.
Particularly, in light of recent events in Northern Ireland, it is more pertinent than ever that a safe and welcoming space is available for those of diverse identities to meet. The People’s Café will be a valuable venue for breaking down barriers, promoting inclusion and tackling racism. More than 60 nationalities are currently engaged overall in our PEACEPLUS local programme and residents from diverse identities contribute positively to our society day and daily in many, many ways.”
Lilian Seenoi Barr added that The People’s Café will be a place where people can sit down and learn to appreciate cultural difference, learn to avoid cultural misunderstanding and become culturally conscious.
She told those gathered, “The People’s Café is open to all residents of Derry City and Strabane District and beyond. It is not limited to racially minoritised communities.
Mrs Barr added that her aim has always been to promote the positive contributions migrants make to society when given the chance to thrive. In that respect, the café is a “dream come true”.
“We will be holding a range of thematic events throughout the year and everyone is welcome to attend. These events will provide opportunities for residents to meet, connect with and learn from racially minoritised communities, helping to build stronger relationships, encourage dialogue and promote greater understanding across communities.”
“Hopefully The People’s Café will showcase how much migrants have to give, economically, socially and culturally. And hopefully it will underscore the enormous value they bring when given the opportunity to prosper,” the Migrants Forum CEO said.
