The Invisible Café will not have a permanent base, therefore can be set-up in various locations. The community working together, helping each other, finding out ‘what works best for them’ and taking a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Whilst working to combat social isolation and creating jobs or voluntary positions, within The Invisible Café. The Invisible Café, will be located at various community hubs across the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Bishops Creighton House, GLL Better Gyms, the Dawes Road Hub and St Paul's in Hammersmith. The funding we are looking for will go towards hire of the community hubs and help toward the costs of some therapy sessions. Which, we can then pass on to members at a significantly reduced rate. We would like funding for the first 6month of this project after which we believe the project will become self sustainable.

What we'll deliver:

• Combat Social Isolation
• Creating jobs
• Voluntary Positions
• Positive Wellbeing
• Self prescribing

Why it's a great idea:

The Invisible Café is a Community Interest Company for people with Invisible Illnesses. With MS (which I have) and other invisible illnesses people are often told ‘but you look ok’ as they are able bodied. It can be a devastating and harmful, emotionally to be told this, if one is suffering internally. As people see no “visible” supports to indicate a disability such as a cane, walking frame or wheelchair, the illness becomes Invisible, which can often result in negative reactions and add to social isolation. By meeting other people with other conditions, this is a stress free way to make new friends, be more active and learn from others' experiences. While, no two people or conditions are identical, being able to chat to others with similar conditions can help one’ manage their own symptoms. This will help with psychological wellbeing and promote positive mindful actions. Which, has been medically document to have a direct effect on symptom management.

Steps to get it done:

• Gain backing from St Barts hospital
• Gain backing from Neurologists

The Invisible Café will host most activities at community hubs across the borough H&F. This will be open and available to all. It will benefit participants greatly by offering a safe calm place to relax, have a hot drink and meet others and take part in activities. The benefits of this are great. Alleviating, emotional stress both before and after a hospital treatment, can enhance the benefits of the treatment and therefore ones’ wellbeing. We want to trial this unique project over a 6 month period - Monday to Friday. To find the impact it will have on the community we wish to support. It will also give us an opportunity to gather much needed data to improve and grow The Invisible Café. With the possibility to establish a real and permeant café. This would make us self sufficient and produce profit to fund activities and pay staff.The Invisible Café will be a group or movement run by ‘us’ for ‘us’. Helping each other to help ourselves, in a very simple yet, highly effective way.