Enablement

Our Core Values

  • Everyone is of Equal Worth
  • Everyone Can Contribute to the Community
  • Everyone Should Be Treated with Dignity and Respect

Welcome to The Usual Place Café

The Usual Place Café isn’t just your ‘usual’ café—it’s a warm and welcoming community. Our mission is to create a supportive, inclusive environment where young people with additional support needs (ASN) can thrive and become active citizens and employees in the wider world.

Through volunteering and training under the guidance of experienced mentors, young people develop personal confidence, vocational skills, earn qualifications, and can work toward meaningful employment while building confidence and independence. Whether they wish to develop transferable skills for life, or aim for a career in hospitality or other areas of work, our Early Enablement team and our Cafe Mentors are here to help them succeed.

Why The Usual Place?

Since 2015, The Usual Place Café has empowered hundreds of young people with additional support needs by:

  • Building confidence, independence and purpose.
  • Providing hands-on, real-world experience in a working environment.
  • Helping them earn qualifications and find employment.
  • Connecting them with volunteering and social opportunities in the community.

Our Approach: A Pathway for Every Young Person

We offer 4 main programmes – opportunities tailored to young people with additional support needs at different stages of their personal development.

Everyone comes to us with a different personal story and we work with your individual strengths and needs to enable you to grow through experiences that are meaningful for your own lives. Whether you’re curious about exploring your personal development, citizenship or ready to train for qualifications, there’s a place for everyone at The Usual Place.

At The Usual Place, we understand that every young person has a unique journey, shaped by their own experiences, strengths and challenges. We’re here to walk alongside you, offering opportunities that are thoughtfully tailored to your personal development.

Our approach is supportive, empowering and thoughtfully individualised. We create an environment where you can feel safe to take on new challenges, knowing you’ll have the guidance and encouragement you need to grow.  While we provide the understanding and patience to meet you where you are, we also set clear, achievable expectations to help you move forward, building your confidence, knowledge and skills through meaningful effort and success.

For Schools: Supporting Students in Development

Developing the Young Workforce: Employer Partnership

A programme for S3 pupils, not necessarily with ASN to develop employability skills in a supportive, inclusive team environment.

  • Who Can Join?
    Groups of three S3 pupils, 3 hours per week, over a 6-week block.
    Up to 12 pupils per school per year (4 blocks).
    Open to all schools—currently partnered with Dumfries High School.
  • What Pupils Gain:
    • Confidence and communication skills.
    • Experience in a real working environment.
    • Insight into the value of teamwork in a diverse setting.

Individual School Placements

Tailored placements for S4–S6 pupils (ages 15–18) with Additional Support Needs transitioning from school to work.

  • Programme Details:
    • 1 day per week for 2 terms or a full school year.
    • Schools refer pupils through our Early Enablement team.
  • What Pupils Gain:
    • Practical experience in Front of House and kitchen roles.
    • A chance to explore their interests in a supportive, hands-on environment.
    • An optional transition into our 12-week programme upon leaving school.

For School Leavers: Begin Your Journey

12-Week Programme

The perfect starting point for young people aged 14–26 with additional support needs.

  • Who Can Join?
    • School leavers referred by Self, SDS, Volunteering Matters, Social Work, NHS, or other organisations.
  • Programme Overview:
    • 1 day per week, tailored to individual needs and goals.
    • Hands-on experience in both Front of House and kitchen roles.
    • Guidance from mentors who step back as confidence grows.
  • What’s Next?
    Progress tracked using “Outcome Stars” leads to new opportunities, including SVQ training.

For Trainees: Pathway to Accredited Qualifications

SVQ Training Programme

For those ready to take their skills to the next level, our SVQ qualification opens the door to future employment opportunities.

  • Programme Details:
    • 16 hours per week over 2 days.
    • Completion of 8 modules (average 18 months).
  • What Trainees Gain:
    • Recognised qualifications to boost employability.
    • Continued support to transition into paid employment.

Ready to Transform Lives?

If you’re a teacher, parent, or young person interested in exploring our programmes, we’d love to hear from you!

Email Us: earlyenablement@theusualplace.org

Together, we can create a future where everyone is valued and contributes to their community with dignity and respect.