Liam joined our Youth Training Café Programme in July 2024, arriving with plenty of enthusiasm and a real eagerness to learn new skills to help him move forward in life. From the very beginning, Liam threw himself into the programme, always keen to get involved and give things a go.

During his time with us, Liam developed a whole range of valuable transferable skills, including growing confidence, clear communication, and the ability to adapt to new environments and situations. Alongside this, he built up strong sector-specific skills, gaining hands-on experience in barista training, customer service, food hygiene, allergy awareness, and health and safety.

Once Liam had completed the essential theory sessions, he was ready for the next step, putting his learning into practice. He took on a work placement at Sea Change Café in South Shields, where he worked in a real café environment with real customers. This gave Liam the chance to build confidence, refine his skills, and experience the pace and expectations of the hospitality sector first-hand.

After successfully completing the programme, Liam felt confident enough to apply for work and his hard work paid off. He secured a paid Front of House role at The Customs House in South Shields. In this role, Liam uses his customer service, communication, adaptability, and health and safety knowledge every day to support members of the public and provide a welcoming experience for visitors.

‘I don’t know where I’d be without the Training Café staff. Thank you for helping to train me. I have lots more confidence and lots more knowledge than I did in the past.’