For many years, Sunlight Development Trust has supported local people to build skills, confidence, and pathways into employment. In our community café, for example, we provide Food Hygiene Level 2 training, meaningful work experience, and personalised support to people of all ages and abilities who face barriers to education, training, and work.

Our programme helps individuals develop practical workplace competencies alongside soft skills like communication, resilience, and self-confidence in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. We work closely with education providers like MidKent College and Bradfields Academy, and local employment agencies such as Reed. Our collaboration with Reed recently resulted in five people progressing their pathways to work via volunteering. Graham Campion, Senior Partnership Manager at Reed in Partnership said at the time ‘It’s great the work we’re doing to support people. What a great collaboration!’

Outcomes and Success Stories

Our volunteers consistently demonstrate the transformative impact that meaningful work experience and personalised support can have:

• Participant W joined us through MidKent College. Following their placement at Café Sunlight, they secured paid employment in a local restaurant. They continue to volunteer with us one day a week.
• Participant M was living in a refuge with their child. By volunteering in the café, they rebuilt their confidence and. They successfully completed their nursing exams, moved into independent accommodation, and now work within the NHS.
• Participant V volunteered with Café Sunlight while at university. They have since moved into a full-time caring role and serve as a Trustee of The Sunlight Development Trust, as our Equality, Inclusion, Diversity and Accessibility (EIDA) Lead.
• Participant E, who is transgender, gained experience in both café operations and reception services. Their confidence, professionalism, and customer service skills secured full-time employment as a receptionist with a local business.
• Participant J, a mature person, left a career in retail about a year ago. Learning how to run a busy reception desk and operate kitchen equipment has given them the confidence to start looking for full time work again.
• Participant F had severe learning differences. They were extremely introverted and wouldn’t leave the safety of the kitchen. Our Cafe Supervisor gently built their confidence and communication skills. They now work with at a nearby nursery.
• Participant T was referred to us by MidKent College. They were largely non-verbal when they arrived but after three years both in the kitchen and front of house, they now work full-time at a local gastro pub.
• Participant L was outgoing, but lacked confidence. They were extraordinarily committed to Sunlight. They entered full time employment in a local restaurant, but continued to volunteer at Sunlight and successfully completed their degree
• Participant A was one of our most capable café volunteers, and excelled in the kitchen. Within a year, they were offered a position in our crisis recovery service as a Peer Support Worker.
• Participant E has autism. They volunteered on reception and regularly helped out with facilities work. A year ago, many of their friends went off to university, leaving them behind. Their confidence has now grown to the point that they will be joining their friends in higher education this Autumn.
• Participant C joined Women in Sheds in 2025. They have gained self confidence and the skills employers look for in future employees, including basic carpentry, plus problem solving, teamwork and attention to detail.
• Participant J covered Reception and helped out in Finance. We were so impressed with their commitment and willingness to learn new skills we offered them a permanent part-time role as Accounts Assistant.
• Participant B joined Sunlight on the Kick Start scheme. At the end of their placement, we took them on as a part-time employee in our Facilities team. Three years later, they have secured a full time facilities-focused role in the Prison Service.

Through programmes such as Café Sunlight, The Sunlight Development Trust creates opportunities for people to overcome barriers, realise their potential, and progress towards fulfilling, sustainable futures. Our work demonstrates how community-based employability support can improve individual wellbeing, strengthen local resilience, and create lasting social impact. For more information, please email Sunlight Employability Support

Sunlight Employability Services are funded by Kent Community Foundation, Colyer Ferguson Charitable Trust and PCPhillips Foundation.