‘Sol mates’: how one café brought together a whole community

Just behind Birmingham Moor Street Station sits Sol Café, a grassroots community space for members of the LGBTQI+ community. The café, the first space of its kind in the city, has created a sense of belonging and community spirit that goes beyond its four walls.

Thanks to National Lottery players, a new £10,000 grant means local people will be able to host and attend craft workshops, yoga sessions, and more recently, queer fairs, where LGBTQI+ creatives are able to share and sell their crafts – and all at Sol Café.

This vital funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, will provide members of the LGBTQI+ community with a safe and comfortable space, helping to foster a sense of belonging.

Cecile Campagne, project lead at Sol Café, said: “The pandemic was a difficult time for us, as it was for many other community groups. Thanks to National Lottery players and the funding we received, we were able to get back on track and continue to run our community space.

“When the idea of Sol Café came to me in the summer of last year, I was certain that I wanted to create a safe space where not only LGBTQI+, but people from other minority groups could come together and socialise. In June 2021, we were then able to open the doors to the café after seeing a clear need for a pay as you feel, alcohol-free community space for the LGBTQI+ community. The funding from The National Lottery Community Fund has taken the pressure off us and given us the confidence we needed to continue to grow and reach more people.

“With the funding, we’ve been able to reach hundreds of supporters and are now involved with food surplus groups and a local community garden. The space now isn’t just a social space, but also an environmentally-conscious one.”

One person who has benefitted from Sol Café is Paul Alexander, who is also a regular volunteer there. They added: “Sol Café has created a space that is free of judgement - it’s where I can truly feel comfortable and safe. It’s more than just a café: it’s somewhere the community can come together, take part in group activities, and make lasting friendships. Having Sol Café, particularly during the pandemic, really lifted all our spirits.

“I started volunteering at Sol Café to get involved with its craft fair and could really see that it had a very wholesome and holistic approach to reaching people. It made a real difference to the LGBTQI+ community in Birmingham. Cecile has created a sober space, that is different to the stereotypical nightlife that is commonly associated with our community. Having a space free from alcohol is significant to so many people. I’m really so grateful to National Lottery players; without them I don’t know if Sol Café would still be here.”

51 charities and community groups across Birmingham have been awarded more than £3 million of National Lottery funding in the past quarter*, supporting them to overcome social and economic challenges raised by the pandemic.

Birmingham isn’t alone in benefiting from National Lottery funding. Today it was announced that £65 million has been distributed to 1,700 community organisations across England in the past three months*.

Claire Jopling, Senior Head of Funding for the Midlands at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this vital funding is having a huge impact on people’s lives across the West Midlands. It’s so inspiring to see dedicated volunteers and groups, like Sol Café, supporting their communities to prosper and thrive. This funding has given a much-needed cash boost to communities, so they can build back stronger from the pandemic.”

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Thanks to National Lottery players, last year we awarded over half a billion pounds (£588.2 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK. Over eight in ten (83%) of our grants are for under £10,000 – going to grassroots groups and charities across the UK that are bringing to life amazing ideas that matter to their communities.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk