Stepping Stones café is to celebrate one year at Carrow House in Norwich next month by expanding its opening hours, five days a week. Those involved explain more
One year after opening its doors at Carrow House, much-loved Stepping Stones Café is celebrating an exciting milestone by expanding its opening hours to Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm, from September 2026. Since launching in September 2025, the student-led café has become one of the highlights of Norwich Unity Hub, delighting visitors with barista-quality coffee, delicious homemade food, affordable prices and, above all, the warm welcome offered by the incredible Stepping Stones students who proudly serve every customer.
The café is operated by Stepping Stones Project, a vibrant, not for profit charity established in 1989 and provides people with learning disabilities invaluable hands-on experience in a real working environment. Students develop confidence, communication and customer service skills alongside staff in a supportive setting, helping them take important steps towards greater independence and future employment opportunities.
Over the past year, what began as a simple pop-up café has grown into a thriving community offer. The café has become known not only for its excellent food and drink, but also for the genuine connections made between students, visitors, residents and organisations based at Carrow House. Customers often stay for a chat, making every visit about much more than simply grabbing a coffee.
The partnership has already had a significant impact. Between September and December 2025 alone, the café served more than 420 customers, while providing meaningful work experience that has boosted students’ confidence and encouraged even more people to get involved with the project. The Carrow House community has embraced the café, creating an inclusive environment where students feel valued, supported and proud of their achievements.
As well as freshly prepared food and drinks, visitors can browse a range of handmade gifts created through the project, including greeting cards, wrapping paper and beautiful seasonal bouquets grown at the Stepping Stones on site garden. They serve SYMPOSIUM & SHEARD COFFEE which is certified bird friendly, roasted in Norwich and sourced directly from Farms in Latin America.
From September, the café’s expansion to five days a week marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. New indoor and outdoor seating will make it an even more welcoming place for people to meet friends, take a break or enjoy lunch. Importantly, the café is open to everyone, not just those visiting Carrow House. Whether you’re passing by for a morning coffee or looking for a delicious, affordable lunch, everyone is welcome.
Every purchase helps make a difference. Sales from the café are reinvested into Stepping Stones’ work supporting people with learning disabilities, while the affordable rental arrangement helps Norwich Unity Hub continue providing accessible workspace and facilities for charities, community groups and social enterprises. It is a partnership where everyone benefits: students gain invaluable workplace experience, customers enjoy fantastic food and drink, and every purchase helps strengthen two local organisations committed to making a positive difference in the community.
Sarah King, Business Development Manager at Norwich Unity Hub, said: “It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole year since Stepping Stones first opened their café at Carrow House. In that time, it’s become so much more than somewhere to grab a coffee. It’s a place where confidence grows, friendships are formed and our community comes together.
“The students are an absolute joy to have as part of Carrow House. They’re friendly, professional, welcoming and clearly love what they do. Seeing visitors chatting with them while they’re serving coffee has become one of the things that makes this building feel so special.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together over the past year and couldn’t be more excited to see the café expand to five days a week. We hope even more people from the local community will discover this hidden gem, enjoy some fantastic food and drink, and know that every purchase is helping to support an incredible local charity.”
Roger Bilton-Hill, Director of Stepping Stones Project, said: “Our time at Carrow House has been incredibly positive. The café project was created to give our students valuable real-world work experience in a safe and welcoming environment, helping them build confidence, independence and employment skills. The support we’ve received from the Carrow House community has been amazing, and we’re excited to welcome even more customers as we expand to five days a week. The goal going forward is that we want to turn these short-term work experience roles into paid employment opportunities for our students; as a small, not for profit charity, that goal is currently reliant on the financial success of the project, so if you get a chance, please pop by and get a coffee.”
As Stepping Stones celebrates its first anniversary at Carrow House, both organisations are looking forward to welcoming even more people through the doors and continuing to demonstrate the power of inclusive, community-led partnerships.
Everyone is welcome to visit the Stepping Stones Café from Monday 14th September, Monday to Friday, between 10am and 2pm at Carrow House. Pop in for a barista-quality coffee, enjoy a homemade lunch, browse the handmade gifts and flowers, and experience for yourself the friendly welcome that has made the café such a valued part of Norwich Unity Hub over the past year.
Featured image – supplied by Stepping Stones Project
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