Our story
What if... ?
Wave (We’re All Valued Equally) began in 2009, when pioneering inclusive events were launched in Muswell Hill (details here) to answer some intriguing questions:
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What if inclusion wasn't something we just talked about, but something we actually did?
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What if people with and without learning disabilities could come together as equals, members of the same community?
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What if there was somewhere where everyone could meet, make friends, learn new skills, have fun, and contribute?
Soon enough, they had another question:
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What could be better than a café?
From concept to reality
And so Wave Café began. Formally established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, it launched with a series of inclusive pop-up events in and around Muswell Hill.
These early events were intentionally simple, bringing people together through food, music, creative activities and conversation. People with learning disabilities were not just supported participants, they helped plan and run the events alongside everyone else.
More than 400 people took part during that first year. It was the beginning of something important: a place where inclusion could happen naturally, because everyone was simply part of the same community.
Wave Café was born.
From 'pop-ups' to regular
In 2018, Wave Café began to develop a more regular rhythm. Weekly evening arts workshops at the rented Birchwood Centre brought people together to make things, try new things and spend time with one another. Friendships were able to grow as people with and without learning disabilities shared experiences as equals.
At the same time, we explored what a permanent café might become: a daytime space and genuine community hub, if only suitable premises could be found.
Our ambition was growing. We were not just creating events; we were building a community.
Wave Café's first regular weekly programme was established.
A daytime cafe vision takes shape
Our weekly programme continued to grow, with more creative activities, more volunteers and more opportunities for people to develop their skills.
Then came the big experiment: a daytime inclusive café. For two days that summer, we transformed the Birchwood Centre into a genuine café where people could eat, meet, create and take part in activities together.
The response was hugely encouraging. People valued being able to arrive as themselves and feel at home. It showed what has remained central to Wave Café ever since: when you create the right environment, inclusion can happen naturally.
Proof that a daytime community Wave Café could work.
A cafe without a cafe
At the start of 2020, the dream became reality: Wave Café opened its weekly daytime café in the redeveloped Muswell Hill United Reformed Church building. Young people with learning disabilities began gaining regular, practical work experience in the café and kitchen.
But almost as soon as we had opened, lockdown changed everything. Like everyone else, we had to close our doors. “Social distancing” was the rule, the opposite of our purpose of building community through social connection. So we moved online and found new ways to stay connected; through our Neighbourhood Project, people built relationships with letters when meeting face to face was not allowed.
It was a difficult year, but it showed that Wave Café wasn't really about a café, it was about people - and people find ways to stay connected.
We opened our café — and then found ways to do without it!
Open again, this time without lockdown
In July, the café reopened. Returning to face-to-face activity meant so much more than simply opening the doors again. People had missed one another, the conversations, the laughter, the activities and the basic experience of belonging.
As we rebuilt, the programme grew, new activities were added, and we trialled a second day. Evening activities resumed, and we started creating new opportunities for children, young people and families.
Wave Café was becoming more than just a café with added activities; it was growing into a community hub.
Wave Café came back from Covid stronger and more ambitious.
Growing our cafe - more people, more activities, more opportunities
By 2022, Wave Café was becoming a busy and recognisable part of the local community. More than 3,000 customers came through the café, volunteers contributed over 1,500 hours, students gained practical experience. And our arts, movement and wellbeing activities continued to grow.
People came to Wave Café for different reasons: some for lunch, some to make art, others to exercise; some to volunteer, some to gain work experience, others to meet people. Many came simply because Wave felt like somewhere they belonged.
That diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
Wave Café became a thriving, multi-generational community.
Becoming Wave Hub
By 2023, it was clear that he name “Wave Café” no longer captured what we had become. The café remained central, but now within a much wider programme of arts, crafts, wellbeing, social activities, learning, volunteering and work opportunities.
So Wave Café became Wave Hub. The new name reflected our new reality. We were not simply running a café, but creating a place where people could connect, contribute, grow and belong.
We were also sharpening our focus on helping young adults with learning disabilities gain meaningful workplace experience and move towards employment and greater independence.
Wave Hub was born, reflecting the community we had become
Increasing visibility in the local community
In 2024, we continued to expand our team and activities to enable more people to get involved. It became increasingly clear how Wave Hub could be a bridge to real opportunities: someone might start by coming to lunch, then join in an activity, then volunteer, then learn a new skill and gain work experience. Then maybe even paid employment.
That journey matters. For young adults with learning disabilities, options to gain real work experience and move towards employment remain very limited. Our role is to provide a structured and supportive environment for people to develop confidence, skills and independence.
At the same time, our fundraising community grew, with supporters taking part in events including the London Landmarks Half Marathon and sponsored walks.
Wave Hub proved able to turn inclusion into practical opportunities
Doubling our capacity
The highlight of 2025 was adding a second weekly Hub day in September, increasing opportunities for people with and without learning disabilities to meet, socialise, learn and work together.
The programme of activities also expanded to include regular inclusive dance sessions, alongside fitness, yoga, arts and crafts and other community activities.
The year also saw a growing emphasis on fundraising and community engagement. The London Landmarks Half Marathon was again successful, as were other sponsored activities, and both Summer and Winter Fairs. These helped strengthen Wave Hub’s community presence and sustainability.
Boosting exercise promotes physical and mental wellbeing
