“A place where people are gently connecting and mixing and enjoying themselves, from here and everywhere else.”
That’s how one regular attendee describes International Café Perth.
“International Café Perth was established for people from different countries who have arrived in Perth and Kinross, to meet one another and other local residents in a welcoming and informal setting,” explains Amanda Brown, Chair of International Café Perth.
“Our work aims to enable social connection, help reduce loneliness and isolation, provide enjoyable opportunities for people to find out about life in Perth and Kinross, meet others living locally, share cultural traditions and customs and provide informal settings where people can develop skills in English and new friendships.”
Bringing people together
The idea for the café grew from the arrival of refugee families from Syria in 2015–16.
“Recognising the feelings of isolation that arriving in a new country with a different language, customs and culture must evoke, the idea of a café was born,” Amanda explains.
“Here would be an opportunity to meet and learn more about each other, and feel a part of the community. There is a real sense of joy at coming together to share music, dance, culture and food which has a direct impact on wellbeing,” Amanda says.
“The opportunity for attendees to showcase their culture and take responsibility, with support, for organising sessions leads to a sense of confidence and empowerment.”
For some, that confidence has grown into volunteering and even joining the café’s management committee.
A safe space to belong
Amanda also believes the café provides something particularly important:
“A feeling of solidarity and offering a safe space where people are welcomed, especially in these times when the narrative around migrants can be so negative.”
That welcome is something people notice. One regular attendee described the café as:
“A place where people are gently connecting and mixing and enjoying themselves, from here and everywhere else. I believe it creates good feelings that last and really help people.”
For Amanda, the fact that people keep coming back is another sign of the café’s impact.
“Our numbers continue to steadily grow and we have a regular flow of new people coming to monthly cafes and events,” she says.
Working together
Partnerships with other organisations have also helped International Café Perth reach new people and create new opportunities.
“The collaborations we have initiated with other organisations have widened our contacts and promoted the International Café Perth to different audiences,” Amanda explains.
A joint event with the Worker Support Centre in July 2026, welcoming seasonal migrant workers, showed the power of that approach.
A staff member of the Worker Support Centre team described the atmosphere as:
“buzzing with joy, curiosity, and conversation.”
“Locals were so open, friendly and interested in getting to know people, while the seasonal workers seemed genuinely seen, welcomed and appreciated.”
They also praised the café community:
“Everyone I met was welcoming, supportive, friendly, and genuinely curious about other people and cultures.”
“It really felt like we were creating something together rather than simply hosting an event alongside one another.”
Month after month, International Café Perth continues to bring together people who have lived locally all their lives with those who have only recently arrived – creating connections, friendships and a stronger sense of belonging along the way.
To find out more about International Café Perth’s work, visit their Facebook page or email: internationalcafeperth@gmail.com
