Meet Hakan Elbir, Founder of Dialogue Hub and the New Dialogue Express Cafe

The Carpenters Dialogue Express Cafe officially opens on June 28th on Carpenters Estate. It will become a space where coffee, conversation, and inclusion come together. 

Based in a repurposed train carriage at Dennison Point Car Park, this meanwhile project is part of the wider resident-led regeneration of the Carpenters Estate. Visitors to the cafe are encouraged to make their orders in British Sign Language, with the help of handy tutorials dotted around the space, sparking dialogue between Deaf and hearing communities and creating a welcoming space where inclusion is part of every interaction. 

At the heart of this project is Hakan Elbir, founder of Dialogue Hub, a social enterprise creating sensory-led experiences to bridge divides and champion social inclusion. Ahead of the launch, we sat down with Hakan to learn more about the café, the work of Dialogue Hub, and the personal experiences that continue to drive his mission. 

👤 Could you introduce Dialogue Hub to those who are unfamiliar? 

Dialogue Hub is a community interest company committed to fostering social inclusion through innovative and engaging projects. Our mission is to bring people together through arts, culture, and shared experiences, creating sustainable platforms for dialogue and interaction. Our programmes like Dialogue in the Dark, Dialogue BSL Café, Dialogue Gallery or Dialogue Workshops are designed to promote understanding and connection between diverse groups, ultimately building a more inclusive and connected society. Through these initiatives, we aim to challenge perceptions and provide spaces where everyone, regardless of background or ability, can engage and feel valued. 

☕ Tell us a little about the Dialogue Express Café, and how it fits into your mission 

Dialogue Express Café is a British Sign Language (BSL) Café in Carpenters where customers interact with Deaf and hard-of-hearing baristas, creating a unique and inclusive environment. The Dialogue Express Café is perfectly aligned with our mission to foster social inclusion through arts, culture, and shared experiences. The café not only promotes BSL as a form of communication but also invites the wider community to engage with a new way of interacting, helping to bridge the gap between Deaf and hearing individuals. 

By offering employment opportunities for local Deaf and hard of hearing residents, Dialogue Express Café in Carpenters supports economic empowerment and creates a space where everyone can feel connected. The café is set to play a significant role in transforming the social fabric of Newham, bringing people together through the shared enjoyment of coffee, culture, and conversation 

🎨 What kind of community events or activities do you plan to host once the café is up and running? 

Once the Dialogue Express Café is up and running, we plan to host a wide range of community-driven events in collaboration with local people and organisations. These events will support local artists and provide a platform to showcase young talent from the area, fostering creativity and community spirit. We’ll also offer tailored workshops for schools and corporate groups, led by sensory-impaired facilitators. These workshops will focus on promoting disability inclusion, giving participants a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about sensory-impairment inclusivity. The immersive nature of these workshops will raise awareness, foster understanding, and encourage more inclusive practices. In addition to events and workshops, Dialogue Hub will provide ongoing training and employment opportunities for individuals with sensory impairments, empowering them towards long-term social and economic independence. There is currently no other organisation in the UK offering such immersive public experiences that promote sensory-impairment inclusivity while directly empowering individuals, making this a truly unique initiative. 

🏗️ What excites you most about the Dialogue Express Café, and its place in the wider regeneration of Carpenters Estate? 

What excites me most about the Dialogue Express Café is its potential to become a vibrant, inclusive hub that brings people together across different communities. As part of the wider regeneration of Carpenters Estate, the Café offers a unique space where arts, culture, and social connection intersect. 

The Café creates a welcoming space where Deaf and hearing individuals can connect, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. It will not only provide employment and training opportunities for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals but will also foster greater understanding and dialogue around disability inclusion. 

Additionally, the Café has the potential to host events and discussions that empower community members to share their stories and perspectives, enhancing engagement and meaningful dialogue. This blend of community connection, cultural expression, and inclusivity makes it a dynamic focal point in the regeneration of Carpenters Estate. 

More than just a social space, the Café also represents positive change for the area, symbolising a commitment to creating inclusive spaces that serve diverse needs. It embodies the spirit of regeneration by providing opportunities for local residents, particularly those living with sensory impairments, to contribute and thrive socially and economically. The combination of accessibility, cultural enrichment, and community empowerment makes the Café an exciting part of Carpenters Estate’s future. 

🤝 How do you hope to involve the local community in the café project? 

We plan to actively involve the local community in the Dialogue Express Café project through a variety of initiatives that reflect their needs and encourage participation. First, we will organise feedback sessions to gather ideas and feedback from residents on everything from menu offerings to events. This will ensure the Café truly reflects the community’s preferences and interests. We also aim to create volunteer opportunities, allowing community members to contribute to different aspects of the Café, such as helping with event organisation, decorating, or even assisting with day-to-day operations.  

To further engage the community, we will host regular events such as BSL workshops, art exhibitions, and open mic nights to celebrate local talent and foster a sense of belonging. Collaborations with local schools, clubs, and organisations will also be key. By partnering with them, we can co-host events and provide training and job opportunities, particularly for young people and those from marginalised backgrounds. 

Finally, the Café will support local artisans and businesses by featuring their products, creating a sense of community support and showcasing local talent. Through these efforts, we hope to make the Café a vibrant, inclusive hub that reflects the unique spirit of Carpenters Estate, enhancing social cohesion and promoting inclusivity. 

🌍 Are you working with any other partners you'd like to shout out? 

Dialogue Hub CIC collaborates with Royal Dock Centre for Sustainability (RDCS), University of East London (UEL) to develop and implement sustainable practices in food and beverage sector, enhancing its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Dialogue Express Café supporters include Union Hand Roasted Cafe, La Marzocco, InSign Language, Newham Chamber of Commerce and the London Borough of Newham, who have been instrumental in bringing this innovative concept to life in Newham. 

💬 What do you hope customers will take away from their experience at the café, apart from a cup of coffee? 

Beyond enjoying a great cup of coffee, we hope that customers of Dialogue Express Café will leave with a sense of having contributed to a more inclusive society. Our goal is to encourage people to step outside their comfort zones by engaging in alternative forms of communication, like BSL, and to think differently about inclusivity. 

We want visitors to experience first-hand that kindness is the foundation of everything we do, as perfectly captured in these words: "Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Even if they don’t know sign language yet, they can start by being kind and open to learning BSL. 

Ultimately, we hope that every customer walks away feeling inspired to embrace inclusivity in their daily lives, understanding that even small actions, like learning a few signs or simply showing kindness, can contribute to positive social change. 

💡 Join us on June 28th for the launch of Dialogue Express Café and experience inclusion in action.

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