Congratulations to the Canley Pop-Up Café and Dr Nor Aziz for winning the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Outstanding Active Citizens Fund Project Award.

The Pop-Up Cafés are an initiative of Nor Aziz, a Canley resident and Warwick alumna from Canley Connections, supported by Warwick Volunteers, West Midlands Police, Canley Library, and Coventry City Council and the University of Warwick.

Nor set up the first Café in 2017 after a series of crimes in the area. The project aims to initiate community interaction and raise awareness of cultural diversity and difference as being positive by creating spaces that encourage neighbours from the Canley area to meet, talk and share talents, stories, histories and knowledge.

Since February 2017 our student volunteers have helped run games and crafts activities for children and adults at the Café.

On finding out her project had been nominated, Dr Nor Aziz said

“I am keen to keep up the momentum now that the café is doing so well, I noticed that crime was rising and people were beginning to lose a sense of pride in the area. This café brings people together and offers them a space to take part in fun activities that keep them off the streets”

Additionally, David Jamieson, the PCC, said

“The café truly fosters community spirit and brings people together to celebrate the rich history of Coventry- it shows the spirit and pride the local community have.”

The awards ceremony took place on 5th July 2018.

The dates for the next five Pop-Up Cafés are:

• 1 September 2018
• 6 October 2018
• 10 November 2018
• 8 December 2018
• 26 January 2019

They run from 11.30am to 2.30pm at Canley Community Centre, Prior Deram Walk, CV4 8FT.

Like and follow @canleyconnections on Facebook to find out more about the Pop-Up Café.

Upcoming Pop-Up Café dates  

Find out more about how Warwick
Volunteers could help your school or
organisation warwick.ac.uk/volunteers