A bereaved father in the United Kingdom has opened a community cafe in memory of his son, hoping to support people facing emotional struggles and mental health challenges.
Dave Forder launched Cafe Forever 23 in Coventry along with his friend and business partner Lorisa Smith earlier this year.
The cafe was named after his son, Kane Forder, who died by suicide in 2024 at the age of 23.
Cafe created as a safe space
Dave said he wanted the cafe to become a place where people could feel comfortable, accepted, and supported without fear of judgement.
He explained that after losing his son, he became deeply involved in mental health awareness activities, including organising support walks and helping people online.
“I just wanted somewhere for people to come, have a cup of coffee, have somewhere to eat, not be judged and talk,” he said.
The father added that he hopes the initiative can help prevent other families from experiencing similar pain and grief.
‘Forever 23’ became a lasting memory
The name of the cafe was inspired by a balloon release held after Kane’s death, where loved ones described him as being “forever 23”.
Kane had been a rugby player for Pinley RFC in Coventry, and hundreds of people attended his funeral at Coventry Cathedral.
Dave said the overwhelming support from the local community helped his family continue moving forward after the tragedy.
Community support continues to grow
According to Dave, the response to the cafe and outreach work has been emotional and encouraging.
He said not every grieving family receives such strong support systems and hopes the cafe can become a source of comfort for others dealing with loneliness, depression, or loss.
The story has touched many online, with people praising the family’s effort to turn personal grief into a message of hope and compassion.#MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #CommunitySupport #InspiringStory #UKNews #newskarnataka