Canley Pop-Up Café has won the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Outstanding Active Citizens Fund Project Award.

The Pop-Up Café is the initiative of Dr Nor Aziz, from Canley Connections. A Canley resident, Dr Aziz gained her PhD from the University of Warwick.

Dr Aziz 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 the positives that this can deliver to an area. The cafe creates a space that encourage neighbours from the Canley area to meet, talk and share talents, stories, histories and knowledge.

The project is supported by Warwick Volunteers, West Midlands Police, Canley Library, Coventry City Council and the University of Warwick.

Since February 2017 University of Warwick student volunteers have also helped run games and crafts activities for children and adults at the Café.

Dr Aziz said: “I am thrilled the Canley Pop Up Café has won this fantastic award and I am keen to keep up the momentum now that the café is doing so well.

“I set up the project because 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.”

David Jamieson, West Midlands 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.”

Dr Aziz accepted the award at a ceremony which took place on 5 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.

-ends-

July 10, 2018

For press information, contact:
Andrea Cullis
Media relations manager
University of Warwick
E:a dot cullis at warwick dot ac dot uk
DD: 02476 528050
M: 07825 314874