In Newham, east London, the Dialogue Express Cafe, run by deaf and hard of hearing staff, offers an innovative approach to customer interaction through British Sign Language (BSL). Run in partnership with the Dialogue Hub, the cafe provides training for its employees and encourages community engagement. This initiative is part of Newham Council's broader 'inclusive regeneration' strategy, aimed at redeveloping the Carpenters Estate, which includes plans for over 2,300 new homes, half of which will be affordable social rent. This regeneration effort has faced delays, with previous plans for the estate failing to progress.
The Dialogue Express Cafe on the Carpenter's Estate in Newham is run by deaf and hard of hearing staff, trained by the local social enterprise Dialogue Hub.
Customers follow a video on a screen at the counter which shows them how to place their order in BSL, which they then copy.
Trainee barista Karissa says it makes deaf people like herself feel less isolated and connects them with the community.
Newham Council's 'inclusive regeneration' plan includes creating more than 2,300 homes, with 50% set to be affordable social rent homes.
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