FlourishCafé is a not-for-profit social enterprise community organisation. The overarching purpose of a FlourishCafé to support you to support your community to flourish. However, the concept of human flourishing can seem opaque and distant from everyday concerns, even elitist or perfectionist. This is why it is time to democratise the concept and take it to the people. FlourishCafés can become a truly powerful catalyst for dialogue at all levels (local, national, international) on what flourishing can mean for communities, but in accessible terms. In the context of a difficult period post-pandemic, alongside energy and financial crises, rising inequality, and political disengagement, the central aim of a FlourishCafé is therefore, to facilitate better understanding for how we can contribute to the flourishing and thriving for everyone within our communities from a 'grassroots' perspective.

What is involved in hosting a FlourishCafé™?

Based on adapted World Cafe Methodology, a FlourishCafé™ event provides a nourishing space where people can gather to share ideas, connect diverse perspectives, explore questions that matter and share collective discoveries anchored to the democratization of human flourishing. FlourishCafés combine and adapt the key elements of a world café-style event based on the World Café Community Seven design Principles as originally created and developed by Juanita Brown and other co-developers. The principles have continued to evolve since through the work and practices of the originators, David Issacs, and the wider World Café Community of practitioners. This is an alternative style of event that is focused on nurturing the conditions for meaningful dialogue and connections across diverse groups.

The experience is unique and can be transformative on personal, social, and political levels. Different elements (such as music, coffee, paper table cloths, quality pens, cabaret style table formation, Group-flow states) are used in a range of diverse settings and purposes in order to uncover fresh and inventive stories, narratives, imaginative and creative sense-making experiences. The possibilities are endless! You just need an idea, a space, an audience, and importantly, professional support!

Who can host a FlourishCafé™?

In principle, anyone can host a FlourishCafé™. If you have a passion about the flourishing of everyone within your communities then why not consider hosting your own FlourishCafé? It could well be the catalyst needed to begin meaningful personal and social change. There are some foundational philosophical, theoretical, and practice-based frameworks within which the most effective FlourishCafés are made possible. This is where we can help.

We have completed the official World Café Community hosting fundamentals training programme, to support the theoretical and practical elements of an outstanding event experience. Importantly, we have a wide range of hosting experiences, on a range of topics - all essential ingredients that will work to support you through each stage of design and delivery. Whether you are a member of the community or a leader within your community, we are passionate about supporting you with the guidance and support to bring your idea to life.

Please see some wonderful examples below for what a FlourishCafé™ event might look or feel like. Alco check out the ‘Events’ pages in the tabs above for examples from the FlourishCafé™ events including images, and sense-making graphic artistry.

Let’s imagine Flourishing Communities together!