Enterprise
We empower young people to explore the world of work and possible employment opportunities.
Solid Ground Coffee
Solid Ground Coffee is a social business project run by Young Swindon and Wiltshire. Our spaces are a practical learning hub with a radical employability approach that offers young people who have had adverse life experiences paid employment to learn tailored customer service, barista, health and safety, food hygiene, and money handling skills. Our approach creates an industry standard working environment that supports young people to learn the practical skills needed for employment as well as the shared behaviours that empower them to hold roles and responsibilities at both work and in their communities.
Solid Ground Van
Situated on site outside the Swindon Borough Council Offices, young people are able to build relationships with key decision makers. This is our entry into training and a safe place to begin with a supportive customer base. The ratios are often 1-1 or 2-1 and young people receive dedicated support and training.
The current opening times and location of the Solid Ground Van:
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10:30-14:30 outside Swindon Childrens Services Team, Clarence House, Euclid St, Swindon, SN1 2SG.
Solid Ground Cafe
Situated in Central Library, this space is our more commercial outlet. A place for young people to test their skills and focus on money handling, customer relations and perfecting their latte art! This is a more independent space to practice those shared behaviours before going off into purposeful employment.
The current opening times and location of the Solid Ground Cafe:
Tuesday – Friday 10:00-16:00 inside Swindon Central Library, Regent Circus, Swindon SN1 1QG.
Empower and Engage
Empower and Engage offers 1-to-1 mentoring to female students in Year 11 who are on a reduced timetable, enabling them to develop essential skills, explore career options, and adapt to the demands of college life.
The project aims to create a structured and supportive environment for young women, providing a space where they can explore their options, develop ambitions and, hopefully, increase their engagement with education.
This project requires funding. If interested, please get in touch to talk further and find out more.
Transitioning out of the Care System
Working in partnership with CCLA and Wiltshire Community Foundation, this project supports young people who are transitioning out of the care system. Offering a long-term, tailored relationship, our mentors work 1-to-1 with young people across Wiltshire and Swindon, helping them navigate barriers into work and everyday life.
Much like the Hospital project, our trauma-informed community-based mentors support young people to develop the skills and discover or realise their ambitions.
This project works with young people aged 17 to 25 years.