Introducing Moonrakers’ Educafe at WSHC

Our warm and welcoming community space and cafe will be opening soon and will take place fortnightly at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre from Monday 27 April.

Our Vision

Moonrakers’ Educafe exists to provide a warm, welcoming and safe space where everyone is empowered to build confidence, connection, and belonging.

We invite people to share their unique strengths, skills, stories, cultures and creativity to help build a supportive and resilient community, together.

Community connection inspired by history and heritage.

What interests you, interests us

A group of people are seated around a rectangular table in a bright indoor setting, looking and smiling at the camera.

Why ‘Moonrakers’’?

Wiltshire is a county rich in storytelling relating to the people, places and landscape of the county. We treasure these stories and at Moonrakers’ Educafe we put storytelling at the heart of what we do, sharing thoughts, ideas, experiences, old and new, to create a shared community space of belonging, together creating modern ‘Moonraking’ for the 21st century!

Who is Moonrakers’ Educafe for?

EVERYONE is welcome to join us at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre…

  • Local residents, volunteers, and community members.
  • Grandparents, carers, parents, and nannies.
  • Young people, including those who are care experienced or neurodivergent.
  • People new to the area, including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and those who speak English as an additional language.
  • People living with disabilities, long-term conditions, or other health related needs.

Children can attend with a supervising adult.

Whoever you are, whatever your background, you’re invited.
Moonrakers’ Educafe is a place to connect, feel included, and be part of our community.

Public services and other community/charity organisations wishing share information at the Educafe – please contact us to plan your first visit.

Read our constitution to learn about our vision, mission and values.

 Join us and Take Part in

Creators Corner and skills swap-shop: making : fixing: crafting: repairing – bring your own project with the opportunity to share your skills.

Games Corner – for adults to join in with companionable board or card games.

Reading Corner – bring your own book or try out WSHC’s “lucky dip” selection from the History Centre’s very own local studies library.

Moonrakers’ Café – take refreshment in a café setting serving hot drinks, cake and biscuits, giving even more opportunities to chat and make new friends. You are welcome to bring lunch with you if you would like to do so.

A group of people are sat around a table all playing dominoes.

Moonrakers’ Educafe Opening dates and times

We are pleased to confirm our opening date as follows:

Fortnightly, from Monday 27 April 2026

10.30am-2pm

Stay for as little or as long as you like

Code of Conduct

We expect all visitors, volunteers and partners to adhere to our Code of Conduct, available via this link at all times, including during in-person sessions and when engaging with us or with one another.

Newsletter

Read our latest Moonrakers’ Educafe Newsletter

!!Please note – Photography warning!!
We sometimes take photos and videos during sessions to help promote and fundraise for our activities.

If you’d prefer not to be included, kindly let a volunteer or member of staff know on the day.

A group of people are sat around a table covered with notebooks and several coffee cups all talking animatedly. Title text on the image reads

Contact Us

For more information contact us at MoonrakersEducafe@wiltshire.gov.uk or telephone 01249 705500.

For Additional Support

Accessibility and inclusion are a priority in everything we do. We are continuously working to improve access to both our physical spaces and digital resources.

For those who may feel anxious or unsure about what to expect, we will be developing a buddying service to enable everyone make the most of their Moonrakers’ experience.

More information on accessibility at the History Centre can be found via the following link https://wshc.org.uk/history-centre-accessibility/

Volunteer with Moonrakers’ Educafe

Volunteers are a valuable and essential part of what we do; we wouldn’t be able to run the Educafe without you. Would you like to become a valued member of the Moonrakers’ Educafe family?

Opportunities available include:

Welcome host/buddy/activity table leader – Welcome and value everyone you meet? Enjoy chatting with people from all walks of life? Care about creating a warm, friendly and supportive environment where everyone feels safe, respected and valued?

Café host – do you enjoy working proactively behind the scenes, juggling tasks efficiently? Like to help things run smoothly? Enjoy being part of a small, supportive team?

Register your volunteering interest via MoonrakersEducafe@wiltshire.gov.uk and we will be in touch.