A Statement from Dove Café

It is with deep regret that we announce the closure of Dove Café. We are truly sorry to our loyal customers and to the communities we serve.

Dove Café has achieved so much as a welcoming and inclusive community space. What started as a little pocket of community has grown into something we could never have imagined — both in the café and online. Over the years, we have built a loyal following, welcomed countless people through our doors, celebrated milestones together, shared food and stories, and created a space where people from different backgrounds could meet, connect and feel at home. We are incredibly proud of everything that has been built here, and of the community that has grown around it.

However, the times have changed, and the harm caused by escalating racial hostility and violence is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Concerns about reported race-related crime in Hastings, alongside the wider rise in racial violence nationally, have made it clear that the café is currently vulnerable and cannot continue operating safely.

The harm being done to our communities is compounded by the tolerance of hateful narratives and by ongoing hostile policies towards people seeking refuge. These forces cause real and lasting damage, not only to those directly targeted, but to the whole fabric of our communities.

We are therefore closing today to regroup and consider how we can continue our community-building work in a safe and sustainable space. This is not the end of our work.

The Refugee Buddy Project will continue, and we will be exploring new ways to maintain our activities and support our communities.

As we approach the project's 10th anniversary in 2027, there is so much for all of us to celebrate.

Over the past decade, hundreds of local people have come together to offer friendship, solidarity and practical support to people rebuilding their lives in Hastings and Rother. Together, we have created a powerful culture of welcome, built meaningful relationships across communities, and shown what is possible when kindness and human connection are placed at the heart of community life.

The values that inspired the Refugee Buddy Project remain as important today as they were when it began. In the face of growing division, we are proud of everything our volunteers, partners, supporters and refugee communities have achieved together.

Throughout 2027, we hope to celebrate this remarkable milestone, share stories of impact, recognise the contribution of everyone who has been part of the journey, and invite new people to join us in building a more welcoming and inclusive future.

What can you do? Please continue to support our work, consider becoming a buddy to someone seeking refuge, and support the Safe Haven crowdfunder to help us continue creating spaces where people feel welcome, safe and supported.

Ask yourself today:

What does being a buddy really look like in the face of rising hate crime?

It can mean offering friendship, practical support, solidarity and a clear commitment to belonging. As we prepare to celebrate ten years of the Refugee Buddy Project, we invite you to get involved and be part of the next chapter of this work.

Whether you volunteer, donate, support the Safe Haven crowdfunder, attend an event, share our message or simply stand alongside those facing hostility, your support matters.

Please join our mailing list and follow our social media channels and website for updates, opportunities to get involved and information about future activities.

If you need support, would like to help or want to get involved, please get in touch. We are grateful for your solidarity, care and commitment during this difficult time.

With thanks, The Dove Café team