CAFE
(Community Action, Foundational Economy)A collaboration between communities and hospitality businesses in Bury to support the everyday life.
How might we work with local businesses to develop more local social value?
A Brilliant Thing CIC worked with with Bury-based business Cosalea across their pub and cafe-bar venues on the CAFE project. The programme is funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority through the Foundational Economy Innovation Fund, which aims to support the development and sustainability of the place.
CAFE focused on strengthening employee engagement, improving local venue sustainability and building a vibrant local network of customers, suppliers and collaborators - creating social value for all. CAFE had 3 elements, Coaching, Food Development and Community Connection which came together with the delivery of 3 community events.
Community Connection Events
Leadership development coaching were offered by Kerry Tottingham, 1:1 and group sessions focused on creating brilliant customer experiences, confidence and community leadership skills.
Community Connection events were coordinated by local charity sector leader Peter Firth of Community Help and Information Service and Cosalea staff.
A Food Development programme, will be led by Laurence Tottingham, an award winning Bury based chef with Michelin star and commercial experience. Laurence worked with Cosalea Chefs to create street food style dishes, with local hero ingredients, which will be showcased at the Community Connection events.
We think the best ideas connections & support comes with a brew & something tasty!
At ‘Food for Good’ we discovered how to kick-start, fund, and nourish community action, social enterprise and start up ideas.
The event was all about a different way of meeting people who want to make a difference and get inspired about creating change.
Who was invited? People involved in community project or social enterprise, or who have a great start up came along to fill up with ideas and practical support, meet other inspiring people and make a difference.
What was on the menu? Cosalea chefs developed some dishes which we shared as we listened to ‘Bitesize Talks’ - Inspiring speakers sharing their community action stories from across Greater Manchester.