Careers Café marks major milestone as it welcomes 1000th visitor

North East Lincolnshire’s Careers Café is celebrating a major achievement after welcoming its 1000^th visitor, just five months after opening.

The café’s 1000th guest, Jamie Hodds, visited after facing reduced hours at work and wanting to explore a new direction. “I came to the Careers Café to see what training or opportunities were available in youth work, because I want to help people in the community and inspire the younger generation to have a positive future.”

After sharing his goals with the team, Jamie was introduced to TARGET’s Train2Employ project, 12 weeks of CPD‑certified training, hands‑on experience and holistic support for adults who want to make a positive difference in the lives of young people.

Opening in October 2025, the café was created through a partnership between Taking Action Raising Grimsby’s Emerging Talents (TARGET NEL CIC) and North East Lincolnshire Council’s Adults Careers Team, with a shared ambition to bring support into the heart of the town centre.

Since then, the space has become a lifeline for residents looking for careers advice, training opportunities, wellbeing support and confidence‑building. Many visit for help with practical steps such as CV writing, job applications and digital skills, while others come to seek guidance on overcoming wider challenges like childcare, low confidence, or changing career path.

He is one of hundreds benefitting from the café’s supportive, personalised approach. One visitor said: “If it wasn't for you I would have still been going around in circles but you helped me to focus on what I needed to do and I am starting a teaching assistant course.”

Another said: “Absolutely amazing. Lovely staff, got great careers advice and would highly recommend to anyone seeking advice with careers that they would want to get into.”

The Careers Café is located in Freshney Place (opposite Next), open Monday-Friday for those looking for help and advice.

Wendy Trask, Operations Manager for Employability at North East Lincolnshire Council, spoke about the achievement: “Our team is dedicated to meeting people where they are. Whether someone needs a quick chat or more in‑depth guidance, the Careers Café offers a friendly, approachable space to get the support they need. Reaching 1000 visitors is testament to the demand and the impact we’re having.”

For others like Joanne Lord, Founder and Managing Director of TARGET NEL CIC, the Careers Café is all about supporting people who aren’t sure where to begin. She said: “This milestone shows just how valuable accessible, person‑centred support is. The café has become a community space where people feel seen, listened to and encouraged - and that’s exactly what TARGET hoped to create.”

The café’s success forms part of the wider regeneration of Freshney Place and contributes to North East Lincolnshire’s growing skills and employment ambitions, helping more residents access the opportunities created through the borough’s ongoing transformation.

Councillor Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy, Devolution and Skills, added: “The Careers Café plays a vital role in strengthening the borough’s skills base and ensuring local people are ready for the opportunities created through regeneration and economic growth. By giving residents the confidence, training and personalised support they need, they’re helping build a more skilled, resilient workforce for North East Lincolnshire.”                               

For more information about adult learning in North East Lincolnshire, including upcoming events, training, and local providers, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/adult-education-and-learning.

For more information about TARGET NEL and their programmes, visit https://targetnel.co.uk or email admin@targetgy.co.uk.

For general careers advice and support, contact North East Lincolnshire Council’s Adult Careers Team at iag-nel@nelincs.gov.uk or call 01472 323540.