Case Studies

Meet Ella

After I left school, I tried college but it didn’t work out for me so I dropped out. I started searching for jobs and found an opportunity at Building Foundations.

I work in the Loading Bay Community Café, serving customers with food and drinks, operating the till and ordering system and delivering orders out to the tables. I occasionally help out in the kitchen too.

I really enjoy making the coffee. It’s a new skill for me and I feel if I had chosen an alternative workplace then I wouldn’t have enjoyed it so much. I love working here, the team are so welcoming, I’ve made friends out of colleagues and gained loads of confidence on the job too.

Now I have some work experience, I’ve got plans for the future. I’d like to be an air hostess, maybe travel as well. At least I have some experience and skills now that will help me when I speak to future employers.

Meet Sophie

I left school early after I became unwell and then ended up losing too much confidence to return. My mum supported me to connect with the team at Building Foundations and I came in for an informal chat with the manager of the Loading Bay café. I soon became part of the team and it’s the best decision I made.

I usually start my day with a coffee for myself, and I like to speak to the regular customers and see how they are doing. I work on the till and have a chat with the customers, recommending different coffees and cakes.

I’ve now got confidence to move forward with my life. I’ve gained communication skills and I want to go onto supporting others who are disadvantaged. I want to advocate for others.

I’d definitely recommend the Loading Bay as a great place to work. It’s such a welcoming place. The team is great and it’s such a relaxing place for the customers. I don’t feel like we work because it is demanded of us, I feel like we are choosing to work and be a great team together.

Charity number: 1197220