The Place to Bee
Café and Traditional Sweet Shop in the Heart of Kingsthorpe
Weetabix Bronze Award Winning Community Café – 2022 & 2023
The Place to Bee is a welcoming community café and traditional sweet shop located in the heart of Kingsthorpe. More than just a café, it is a unique learning environment that provides young adults aged 18+ with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) with meaningful work-based learning opportunities in a real business setting.
Originally established by Northgate Academy and now proudly operated by The Cube, The Place to Bee combines vocational learning with practical life skills, helping individuals build confidence, independence and the skills needed for future employment.
A Real Workplace Experience
The Place to Bee offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience across all areas of a busy retail and hospitality business. Every learner is encouraged to become an active member of the team, developing practical skills through genuine workplace responsibilities.
Service Users gain experience in:
Customer service and communication
Food preparation and food hygiene
Health and Safety in the workplace
Cash handling and retail skills
Stock management and merchandising
Teamwork and workplace responsibilities
Preparing and serving food and drinks
Operating within a professional café environment
Learners are involved in every aspect of the business, ensuring they develop valuable transferable skills that support future employment and greater independence.
Accredited Learning
Alongside practical experience, students have the opportunity to achieve recognised accredited qualifications in areas including:
Food Hygiene
Health & Safety
Customer Service
Employability Skills
Preparation for Adulthood
These qualifications help build confidence while enhancing future education and employment opportunities.
Developing Independence
The Place to Bee is designed around the Preparation for Adulthood framework, supporting young people to develop essential life skills including:
Building confidence
Communication skills
Social interaction
Problem solving
Time management
Personal responsibility
Working as part of a team
Preparing for future employment
Every day presents new opportunities for learners to challenge themselves within a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.
Service User Journey
The Place to Bee operates 52 weeks of the year, providing consistent opportunities for learning and development.
Before starting, every prospective student is invited to attend a two-hour taster session, allowing them to:
Meet the team
Explore the café and sweet shop
Learn about the programme
Experience the retail environment
Decide whether the placement is right for them
This ensures each learner feels comfortable, supported and ready to begin their journey.
Preparing for the Future
Our goal is simple: to provide meaningful opportunities that equip young people with the practical skills, confidence and independence needed for adult life.
Whether progressing into supported employment, volunteering, further education or greater independence, The Place to Bee helps every individual take positive steps towards achieving their personal goals.
At The Place to Bee, every customer interaction, every coffee served and every task completed becomes another opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.
📞 Get in Touch
For more information or to place an order, please contact us today.
