The Dove Café
The Dove Café is an inclusive, welcoming space serving the whole community. Alongside freshly ground coffee, teas, hot chocolate, and a selection of locally made food and pastries, the café is home to a growing programme of community participation and support.
The Dove Café
19 Bexhill Road, TN38 0AH
Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10:00–16:00 (Closed on Bank Holidays)
Come along and sample delicious food and drink from around the world at our friendly café. Our wonderful staff can't wait to serve you.
The Team
At the Dove Café, participants are supported to:
Gain experience in front-of-house and customer service
Learn barista and basic kitchen skills
Handle payments and understand café operations
Build confidence in English and workplace communication
These experiences help individuals take practical steps towards independence, future training, or employment - particularly those who have never worked in the UK before.
Community Events
The café also acts as a hub for community events. We support volunteers and participants to organise:
Social gatherings
Pop-up dinners
Workshops that explore different cultures through food, music and the arts
These activities help build understanding, reduce isolation, and create spaces where people feel valued and connected.
Stitch for Change at the Dove Café
Stitch for Change is a community sewing and storytelling project now in its 5th year and hosted at The Dove Café. Inspired by the Chilean arpillera movement, the group provides a supported space where participants share personal experiences of displacement and seeking refuge through textile art. Participants and volunteer buddies are invited to immerse themselves in sewing, embroidery and textiles and are supported into the art of storytelling by creating their own patchwork story.
Annual Christmas Market
The Dove Café also plays a key role in our annual Christmas Market at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery. This is a much-loved community event attended by over 800 local people. We are proud to offer delicious refreshments to the whole community.
Whether you’re dropping in for a coffee or coming to take part in something more, the Dove Café is open to all.
Referrals and volunteering
If you would like to make a referral for a person or to volunteer with the Refugee Buddy Project, do get in touch with us. Please give us as much detail as possible. We are a small team but will endevour to get back to you within 5 working days.
