Dad opens cafe to create safe space in son's memory

A bereaved dad who has opened a cafe in honour of his late son said he wanted to create a welcoming safe space for everyone.

Dave 'Fattay' Forder, opened Cafe Forever 23 on Raglan Street, Coventry, alongside business partner and friend Lorisa Smith earlier this year.

It was named after his son, Kane Forder, who took his own life aged 23.

Forder told the BBC he wanted to help other families affected by suicide. And since his son's death in 2024, he has wanted to help anyone struggling, so that other families do not feel the same grief every day.

"I set up safe space, I do mental health walks, I do a lot online. I help anyone struggling," Dave Forder said.

"I just wanted somewhere for people to come, have a cup of coffee, have somewhere to eat, not be judged and talk - and we can get them help so someone else doesn't die by suicide and another family doesn't feel the way we do every day."

Forder added the name of the cafe came from a balloon release after his son's death.

"When he passed we did a balloon release for him and everyone said he was forever 23, he'll stay that age for the rest of our days," he said.

Kane was a rugby player for Coventry side Pinley RFC when he died.

Hundreds of people attended his funeral in Coventry Cathedral.

His dad said: "We filled the cathedral at the funeral. I feel like I've had Coventry behind me all the way.

"We've had so much support as a family, as a business - and it's getting bigger."

Forder said the response to his community outreach work had been "amazing".

"Not everyone has this. I'm lucky I've got this backing and support," he added.

"There's families out there that don't have this and its important to me to show them that we're supporting them."

• If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line.

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