Our Impact

Liam has done it again!

This time he has baked this delicious vegan chocolate cake with kitchen mentor, Sarah. Liam is really putting into practice all the skills he has learned whilst training in the
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A Great Start for Sommer

A great start for Sommer, making these beautiful strawberry cake pops with mentor Tiana It’s only her second day on our Introduction to Hospitality Training, and already she is creating
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Heidi Perfects her Cake Icing Skills

This morning, Heidi has been very busy in the kitchen with Mentor, Debbie. As well as baking this exciting ‘funfetti’ cake, she has also been practicing and enhancing her piping
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Ryan Checks Food Storage

It’s important to us to make sure we check the stock in our cafe to ensure everything is fresh, easily available when needed, within date and stored properly. Here is
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Arron Had a Busy Day!

Leah, one of our new interns, has been exploring around the cafe, learning what The Usual Place involves and the skills it teaches young people. Arron has happily volunteered to
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Katy Has Completed Her Work Experience

Today is Katy’s last day with The Usual Place, we have really enjoyed having her volunteering here on our 12 week programme of work experience. This programme is a great
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Aaron Doing Well At The Welcome Station

Aaron took lots of customer orders and payments at the till earlier this week – as well as making customers feel welcome, this requires clear communication and listening. Aaron ensures
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Heidi and Ross Work Together At Cakes And Drinks!

Heidi and Ross were very busy on Monday preparing customer orders behind the counter. They are each working more independently as they make drinks and serve sweet treats and cakes
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Meishan and Eden Complete Their Work Experience

Congratulations to Meishan and Eden for completing our S3 Work Experience Programme today. This is open to all schools in Dumfries & Galloway They were each presented with a certificate
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Leah At The Welcome Station

Leah has two different roles with us here at The Usual Place. Today she is training in our cafe and learning the different aspects of customer service with Mentor Tina.
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Internship for Harry

Meet Harry, one of two new Information Interns at The Usual Place. You may recognise Harry as he completed his training here in our cafe and has been a very
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Leah Joins the Team on an Internship

Leah is one of two new Information Interns here at The Usual Place. She and Harry will be with us one day a week for the next 12 months to
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Extraordinary opportunities for young people raise almost £10K for The Usual Place

Together, we raised almost £10,000 for The Usual Place – a wonderful result from an event on Sunday 26th October 2025 that will have a lasting impact. What made the day so
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Emma completes her training November 2025 and has gained confidence to return to education.

Congratulations to Emma, who completed her training with us last week.
Emma has been on the Young People’s Training Programme since the end of May, and, after trying out both Front of House and Kitchen, Emma chose to do her training with the kitchen team.

Dan completes his training October 2025

It’s always a bittersweet moment when we have to say goodbye when a young person has completed their training and is ready to move on – we are going to
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Teigan Starts Her First Job at Kirkcudbright Bay Hotel

Another young person is moving on into the world of work from The Usual Place to Kirkcudbright Bay Hotel. Teigan is enjoying being part of a new team serving food
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Katy gains work experience in constituency office

Training at The Usual Place not only gives young people an opportunity to learn food, drink and hospitality skills, our mentorship also enables individuals to discover their own strengths, gain
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Eva, Noemi and Leah Complete Their Work Experience

Last week we said goodbye to Eva, Noemi and Leah who have been with us for the past six weeks on our S3 Schools Work Experience Programme in collaboration with
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Shania starts work in busy kitchen at Moffat Academy

Shania is branching out beyond The Usual Place to gain experience in a different type of kitchen setting. She is enjoying being part of the fast paced team providing lunches
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Training at The Globe Inn to prepare for our Fine Dining Fundraiser Summer/Autumn 2025

Liam and Evan (and Mentor Thomas) have had the amazing opportunity to spend time with the multi-award winning chefs from 1610 at The Globe Inn to learn the skills required
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Harry Has Completed His Training

We are so proud of Harry, who has completed his training at The Usual Place and is moving on to further education computer course. We are also very pleased that
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Jack Has Completed His SVQ in Professional Cookery

Huge congratulations to Jack, who has completed his SVQ in Professional Cookery here at The Usual Place. He completed his final module and was presented with a certificate of achievement.
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Ryan’s First Job! June 2025

How does it feel to start your first job?Well, according to Ryan, it’s “Amazing!”.Ryan couldn’t resist popping in to see us after his first shift with The Cairndale Hotel & Spa where
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Brooke and Scarlett Complete Their Work Experience

Congratulations to Brooke and Scarlett on completing their 6 week Work Experience Programme for S3 students in collaboration with Dumfries High School. Lived Experience Mentor, Kat and Trustee and Volunteer,
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Ryan Completed His Work Placement

Wow, Ryan what a great achievement! Today is the Ryan’s last day of his school work experience placement. He has done well around the cafe; welcoming customers, checking stock levels,
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Jack bakes cake for Holywood Trust Spring Gathering 16th May 2025

Our Chief Executive, Craig and Trainee Jack tonight attended The Holywood Trust Spring Gathering at The Bridge. The Holywood Trust has supported The Usual Place since its inception. The Trust
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Katie gives inspiring talk at Disability Confident Event 15th May 2025

Wow Katie has really inspired lots of employers today at the Disability Confident event run by Department of Work and Pensions at The Bridge, Dumfries. Katie was asked to give
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Lewis starts a full time job at Best Eating Experience in Scotland 6th May 2025

Please watch this film about Lewis and his journey through The Usual Place and into employment – we think you’ll enjoy it! Lewis tells the story of his journey through
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Leigha, Gabby and Kaylah Have Completed Their Work Experience!

Congratulations to Leigha, Gabby and Kaylah who have completed their 6 week programme of work experience here at The Usual Place in collaboration with Dumfries High School. During that time
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A 2024 Story

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Lewis lands his first job Sept 2024

We’re celebrating!!! Everyone is delighted that SVQ Trainee, Lewis Pryde has successfully got his first job!!! He will be working part time at The Cairndale Hotel & Spa. Lewis is
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Charlie and Hughie Complete Their Work Experience

Today, we celebrated Charlie and Hughie’s last day of school work experience placement with us. Charlie joined us in September and Hughie started his at the start of the new
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Sarah invited to special event by Leaders of Great Britain March 2024

Sarah meets Jonny Wilkinson at The Mansion House, The City Of London for Leaders of Great Britain. What an incredible experience to hear Jonny speaking about Mindset – everything he
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Young People Speak to Power – House of Lords Public Services Committee Enquiry 2024

*****Young People Speak to Power***** Yesterday Sarah, Luke, Abbi, Jamie and Ross spoke to UK House of Lords as part of an important Select Committee inquiry. Last week our Chief
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Skye makes TV Debut at The Cairndale Hotel Feb 2024

Border Life are to make a film about young people from The Usual Place and the whole team are so excited about this film.  They will also follow the success
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What a fabulous achievement

What a fabulous achievement! Sarah received her SVQ Certificate today. After completing her SQA studies in Hospitality, she has not only received formal certification to add to all her experience
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Joshua Has Completed His Early Enablement Summer Work Experience Programme

Congratulations to Joshua, who has completed his Early Enablement Summer Work Experience programme with The Usual Place. The programme, run in partnership with Occupational Therapy for Children & Young People:
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Sarah’s Win at DG Life Awards November 2022

Friday 11th November saw members of The Usual Place attend the 2022 DG Life Awards to support Sarah Cronie, who had been nominated as Young Community Champion. Sandra McGrath, Laura
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David’s Graduation Speech Oct 2022

Just like at the Oscars, David was unable to make it to his SVQ Graduation Ceremony in October 2022, so instead he recorded a speech which was played at the
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The Leaders Council article about Sarah Sept 2022

We were delighted to read The Leaders Council article sharing Sarah’s incredibly inspiring story. Sarah is a graduate of the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities and Inspiring Scotland‘s
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Skye lands a job at The Cairndale Hotel & Leisure Club, Dumfries July 2022

Skye is hard at work in the Cairndale Hotel using all the hospitality skills she gained in The Usual Place. Enabled by Tina, Mentor from The Usual Place, Skye has
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Tiani’s Story

Meg’s Story

David’s Story

James’ Story

Our Voices: Amy’s Research Role

Amy Wright, the Chairperson of our Board of Directors, has secured a new role as a research intern to Jeremy Balfour, an MSP for the Lothian region. Amy applied for
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Morgan’s SCLD Award

Morgan, who has been with us for four years, has left on a high note having been awarded SCLD’s Skills and Learning Award. Morgan is one of our many success
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Our Voices: James’ Album Cover

One of our trainees, James, has created an album cover for the Utah-based ukelele band The Naked Waiters!  This cover will be used for digital copies of the album, which
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School Cohort’s End of Placement

Last Week, school pupils Alex, Sofi, Bethany and Ubayd completed their work placement at The Usual Place. The pupils have spent several weeks at The Usual Place, learning every facet
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