London’s At-Risk Youth Served up Hospitality Training at The Clink Training Cafe
The Clink Training Café is the charity’s first dedicated hospitality training facility designed exclusively for young people aged 16–25 who could be at risk of entering the criminal justice system. It is an initiative intended to give students direction and purpose, whilst also strengthening community resilience in South London. The initiative has been supported by a £10,000 grant from the London Freemasons.
Based in Herne Hill, the café combines hands-on vocational training, accredited City & Guilds qualifications, and intensive personal development support, helping young people build skills, confidence, and pathways into long-term employment. The Clink Café is more than simply a place to learn new skills and gain qualifications, though. To the young people who step through the doors, it is a safe space with no fear of judgement. It is a community where they can connect with each other and take a step towards a meaningful future they can be proud of.
The café has already proven its impact. In its pilot cohort, learners achieved an 88% course completion rate, earning 28 City & Guilds NVQ qualifications, with 100% progressing into either employment with Clink
Events or further education.
The Clink Charity has more than 15 years’ experience in rehabilitation and training, running restaurants, gardens, and events across the UK prison estate. The Training Café marks a new chapter in the charity’s work, focusing on prevention by engaging vulnerable young people before they enter the justice system.
Donna-Marie Edmonds, Chief Executive of The Clink Charity, said:
“We are hugely grateful to London Freemasons for this generous grant. Their support allows us to continue transforming the lives of young people in Lambeth by equipping them with skills, confidence and hope for the future. This funding means we can reach some of the most vulnerable young people in our community, preventing them from entering the criminal justice system and instead setting them on a positive pathway.”
William Clayton, London Freemasons, said:
“We are proud to support The Clink Charity’s innovative Training Café in Herne Hill. By investing in young people at risk, we can help prevent future offending, strengthen communities, and give young Londoners the chance to thrive.”
