Café Beam - where everyone feels at home

If you’ve ever visited Café Beam in Gosforth or Ouseburn Farm, you’ll have noticed the “exceptional food”, “perfect pancakes” and “super friendly staff” that have earned it rave reviews and a five-star rating on TripAdvisor.

But did you know that the café-bistro puts its success down to the sheer diversity of the staff that prepare meals and welcome customers every day?

Café Beam, run by the Smile for Life children’s charity, provides almost 80 placements a week for autistic, neurodivergent and disabled young people.

Some move into permanent roles – like Josh Hardie, 27, who began on a work placement seven years ago and is now supervisor at the Gosforth branch.

Josh, who is autistic, says: “I oversee the whole front of house, the deliveries, and the stock levels. I make sure the young people are getting enough support, and I assist with orders or on the till too – I can be wherever I’m needed.

“I’m really good at routine and organisational skills – I make sure everything is up to standard.

Café Beam opened in Gosforth in 2014 to create much-needed opportunities for disabled school-leavers. It was an instant success, moving into bigger premises in the Old Fire Station four years later and being invited to take over the café at Ouseburn Farm in 2023.

Between them the two cafés provide 78 work open-ended placements for young people, who are supported by volunteer mentors. They get training as baristas, hosts, in the kitchen, as waiters and on the tills.

Some become paid members of the team or go on to jobs, courses or further education elsewhere. Others enjoy the new independence and friendships their role gives them.

Paula Gascoigne, Smile for Life’s CEO, says: “A lot of our young people can be nervous and shy when they join us, and it’s amazing to see the confidence they build up quite quickly.

Smile for Life runs two after-hours clubs at the café, and organises adventure holidays in the UK and abroad every year. They are off to Poland soon and have planned a kayaking trip in Canada next year.

The bonds of friendship they build up and the support they give each other is a large part of the café’s success, Paula believes. “The people here have amazing personalities and create a lovely vibe and warm welcome. Visitors really appreciate it.”

Josh and Paula want to use occasions like World Autism Acceptance Month to encourage other businesses to follow their lead in giving neurodivergent and disabled workers a chance.

“I think there’s often an element of fear on the part of organisations – that it would take too much work, or they don’t understand, or they don’t have the resources,” Paula says.

“But we need businesses to give people that opportunity and realise what fantastic qualities they can bring to the workplace.”