The Friendship Cafe

15/10/2026

⛺ Dads & Lads Unplugged at Biblins!

Last weekend, a group of 22 -dads and their teenage lads- ditched the screens, left the phones behind, and headed into the woods @ Biblins Youth Campsite for an epic autumn campout! 🍂🌲

From hitting bullseyes in archery and paddling down the river in canoes to gathering around roaring campfires and sizzling up huge BBQs, it was a weekend packed with real adventure and nature connection. We even had a treat when an old familiar face stopped by to say hello! 👋✨

No distractions, no notifications—just pure, quality bonding time and great memories made in the wild. 🛶🎯🥩🌌

03/10/2026

23/09/2026

A big thank you to Meg and the team Westonbirt Arboretum - Forestry England for inviting us back to nurture the trees that were planted earlier in the year.

Our group of 25 ladies certainly enjoying the full experience, from the walk, nature engagement, and getting stuck in.

There’s something powerful when a group of different people come together and support each other for a common purpose.

The resilience of the saplings over the course of the hot summer is a lesson we can all learn from. We look forward to seeing how they develop.

15/09/2026

🦇 Into the Dark at Robinswood Hill! 🌙

Armed with bat detectors, our group led by young Ibraheem— with teenagers in tow!—ventured into the woods as night fell to search for bats. 🌌✨

A fantastic evening of wild, after-dark exploration for the whole family! 🌳🦇

28/08/2026

From first-time paddlers to confident canoeists! 🚣‍♂️

Our boys youth group took to the water this week for an unforgettable session. For many, canoeing was a brand-new adventure.

We love creating opportunities like this that push boundaries, build resilience, bring people together, and boost confidence!

Thank you to Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership for funding this trip.

26/08/2026

💗 Meet Emma or as we love to call her, “Pink Emma”! 🧵✨

For several years, Emma has generously given her time as a volunteer sewing tutor, and honestly, we don’t know what we’d do without her! Known for bringing joy, laughter and endless encouragement to every session, Emma has helped so many people find the confidence to pick up a needle and thread often for the very first time. Volunteers like Emma are the heart of what we do. Her passion and dedication show exactly why community support matters and why funding for projects like ours makes such a real difference to people’s lives.
Thank you, Emma, for everything you bring to our sessions. And a huge thank you to for supporting, that makes moments like these possible! 🙏

26/08/2026

A week full of youth activities in the last week of the holidays.

Our girls group took part in a therapeutic clay making and wool weaving session. Followed by a picnic, ice cream, child led games and a nature walk on Rodborough Common.

The girls didn’t believe that they would be walking around a herd of cows on the short trail that we followed, which was a new experience for many of the girls.

We had a mixed aged group with some new young people who were nervous that they didn’t know anyone, so we commenced the session with some fun, memory recall, team building games and they all soon settled in.

A very special thanks to our Abir, our parent volunteer, and the very amazing Polly, for your support. It is much appreciated ❤️

Keep your eyes peeled for the other activities our groups have been up to.

20/08/2026

Honoured to have been featured in the 60th-anniversary celebration of the Cotswolds National Landscape and invited to the screening of Cotswolds: Field & Folk.

Learning about the region's rich farming heritage felt deeply familiar to many of us from ethnically diverse backgrounds who come from agricultural communities in our native countries.

It was refreshing to hear CEO Rebecca Waite address the barriers to accessibility that diverse communities face within green spaces across the UK.

We are immensely grateful to all the partners working alongside us to break down these barriers. Real change doesn't happen in isolation—combining our resources, expertise, and capabilities makes our impact far greater for the communities we serve.

Details on upcoming screenings of the film are in the comments below!

30/04/2026

Lovely time feeding goats and fondling rabbits with our mums and tots @ St James City Farm & Riding School Gloucester and Fair Shares Community Time Banks allotment