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Award-winning cafe brings community together

Jo Kent
BBC News, Reading
BBC A lady in chef's whites stands outside her cafe, in a red brick Victorian building. She is smiling. There is a pink metal table and chairs behind her. Over her shoulder is a blackboard advertising their social media contacts. To the right of the picture is the sign for the cafe - you can just make out the word 'Tutu's'.BBC
It was Tutu Melaku's dream that her cafe would bring the community together

It is a Wednesday morning and Tutu's Ethopian Table in Reading's Palmer Park is busy.

The coffee machine is in constant use, a home learning session is taking place in the quietest corner and the other tables are full of chatter from the various groups which occupy them.

There are now 16 groups that call the cafe home.

In September, its owner, Tutu Melaku, was the winner of the BBC Radio Berkshire Community Award.

"I always dreamed that I would have my own place," she said.

"It was going to be like a community hub. People just create their own groups and I just give them a space and make them nice coffee."

Nominations are currently open for the 2025 BBC Make a Difference Awards.

A group of six women are sat around a round coffee table with cups of coffee in front of them. There are smiling at the camera. Also on the table is a yellow block which reads Redlands WI.
Members of Redlands WI are one of the groups who regularly meet at Tutu's cafe

Sitting by the window are a group of six women. On the table is a painted wooden block which reads "Redlands WI" - Tutu has created a block for each group.

WI member Ruth Ng said: "She is very supportive of our group and of the community generally. We are very proud of her."

Alison Flynn works for Reading Borough Council's mental health team. She's here with a small group of service users. Their block reads "Walk Talk Walk".

"We do a little walk round the park and then come in here for a coffee. The participants feel really comfortable coming in here," Alison explains.

"There's not many places in this area where the community do really come together.

"There's lots of different things going on in here for the community. It's a great place to come."

A group of three women and a man are sat around tables at a cafe. They have cups of coffee in front of them. There is a green wooden block on the table in front of them which reads 'Wednesday Walkers'.
Members of the Wednesday Walkers are also regulars

The "Wednesday Walkers" are also in. Their group started as a council initiative to get people walking to improve their health and keep people out of hospital.

The programme has now stopped but their visits to the cafe have continued.

"Tutu's just amazing. We love coming here. She's done so much to make it a lovely community place," said Caroline Piller.

"She's a wonder, so full of ideas," added Gill Morland.

Those ideas include monthly open mic nights, summer events and opening for coffee and mince pies on Christmas day.

Winning the award has inspired Tutu: "You do your job, but you don't know how you impact people's lives, so when you get that nomination it makes you want to do more."

Tutu still does not know who nominated her for the BBC Make a Difference Award but said: "It's such a nice feeling, still there in my heart, to know I got there. It's just so lovely".

How to nominate

BBC Make A Difference Awards 2025 logo, white and pink writing on a purple background
The 2025 Make a Difference awards are now open for nominations

The Make a Difference Awards recognise people, across eight different categories, who are making a difference where they live.

Every BBC Local Radio station will host awards in 2025.

It is a chance to say thank you to people who make life better for others.

Nominations can be made via the BBC Make a Difference website where you can also see full terms and the privacy notice.

Nominations close on the 31st March 2025 at 17:00.

You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook and X.

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