Our Community focused Cafes operate as a place to relax and enjoy some food and drink, as well as being a hub of community events, evenings, and signposting to get support.
Community cafesThat give back
That give back
to our charity
Our social enterprises are a series of businesses or services that aim to provide an income for the charity.
This way, we can become less reliant on external funding whilst extending our reach to communities across the region.
Our Social Enterprises:
Sams Café (Lowestoft)
The Island Café & Boating Lake (Great Yarmouth)
The Pavilion Café (Woodbridge)
Mix Cafe + Bar (Ipswich)
Sams - Lowestoft
Our original social enterprise cafe, opened in 2015 and designed by local young people, is located within the former Sam Hooks sports and fishing shop in Bevan Street East.
Reopening Soon
Since its regeneration from a derelict building damaged by coastal flooding, it has transformed into a real hub of the community, hosting a plethora of regular events including weekly language cafes, youth club sessions, and mindfulness workshops open to all alongside serving delicious food. Our popular conference room, the Enterprise Lounge, is located above the cafe and available for external hire.
Sams Lowestoft has also been developed into the base for Trust’s enrichment and wellbeing services, as well as our volunteering, training and employment opportunities in the town.
Our outdoor catering and buffet service options can be view here.
The Island Cafe & Boating Lake - Great Yarmouth
The Island café and Boating Lake provides an amazing setting to relax and take in one of Great Yarmouth’s most beautiful attractions for both locals and tourists alike.
Featuring both traditional rowing boats suitable for 4 people and 2 person (and a small child) pedalos there’s also fun and excitement to be had around the boating lake. With indoor and outdoor seating, mouth watering snacks catering for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free taste buds, amazing Paddy & Scott’s coffee and dairy soft scoop ice creams – this is the place to be in Great Yarmouth.
And if you’re feeling a little guilty about the extra piece of cake you had and boats are not your best friend then the boating lake has beautiful walkways surrounded by fantastic plants for you to explore. But there’s more. In fact there’s a little secret you may not know. Whenever you purchase something from us you are literally changing people’s lives.
You don’t even need to worry about leaving your dog at home either. We’re (well behaved) dog friendly too. There just isn’t a good reason not to visit us.
For further information check out our Facebook page or call 01493 738278 | Or visit the waterways website – venetianwaterways.co.uk
Pavilion Cafe - Woodbridge
Situated on Kingston Fields, the Pavilion Café at Woodbridge opened in February 2020 and is our community café that is run in partnership with Woodbridge Town Council.
Offering a range of speciality coffees and hot drinks, alongside tasty treats and a range of food options.
The Pavilion provides training and support for people through volunteering opportunities, skills development and work experience. It also houses a community corner, a helpful and usable space, where other agencies and local community groups are welcome to use our facility and display information on their services for those in need.
The café also offers an external buffet service which caters for personal and corporate occasions in surrounding areas.
For more information please follow us on Facebook here.
MIX Cafe + Bar - Ipswich
Your vibrant quayside haven for drinks, breakfast, dining, and getting social.
MIX is a collaboration between Access and the Student Union of the University of Suffolk. As a social enterprise, MIX has found its cosy home on the ground floor of the iconic James Hehir Building.
The versatile café and bar is the go-to place for all sorts of activities – be it hanging out with friends, working, studying, attending events, or even hosting your own!
At MIX, we’re proud of our growing menu that includes delicious breakfasts, handcrafted pizzas, and more, irresistible Paddy and Scotts Coffee, a wide range of draught beers, and our unique, must-try cocktails.
But what really makes MIX special is our big heart for the community. Our profits go right back into our local charitable services, that help the growing number of individuals and families in need throughout Suffolk.
For more information please visit mixipswich.co.uk
Explore our
Community Cafes
