Sizewell C is opening up opportunities to some of those furthest from the jobs market with a new agreement in place with Access Community Trust in Lowestoft.
The agreement will see SAMS Wellbeing Hub and Café in Lowestoft extend its provision for those in need in Lowestoft and be an important base for the project to grow awareness and access to jobs with Sizewell C.
The café – one of four social enterprises delivered by Access Community Trust in the region – will receive funding support after Sizewell C and Access announced plans to use the venue to help people in Lowestoft access the thousands of jobs and opportunities on offer during the construction of Sizewell C.
The two organisations previously launched their partnership in 2020 and increased the scope of their collaboration after signing an MOU last year.
Emma Ratzer MBE, CEO at Access Community Trust, said: “We’re pleased that Sizewell has chosen to support the growing community offering that the café and hub provides for those in need in Lowestoft. We look forward to working with their team to access employment and training opportunities for the communities we are working with.”
Since opening in 2015, SAMS café has provided direct support to over one thousand individuals locally and provided over 9,000 free meals to those in need within the café, as well as delivering 6,000 community meals throughout the pandemic – fighting hunger and food waste.
Lowestoft remains one of the most deprived areas in Suffolk and is one of the ten most deprived areas in the country. The need for vital services such as SAMS remains pivotal in the fight against social isolation and the continuing cost of living crisis.
Tracey McFee, Service Manager at SAMS, said: “SAMS is and has always been about community, not only is it a great café, it is also a safe space for anybody to seek guidance and support – which is non-judgemental and compassionate. Helping others in their time of need is vital and we work with many local partners to do just that. Our team views seeking help as a sign of strength and we stand tall ready to assist.”
As well as food and drink, SAMS hosts regular events and daily activities, alongside access to advice and guidance, employment support, mental health support, meeting spaces for local grassroots charities such as Turning Point Youth, a monthly film club, and even community police meets. Over the school holiday periods, the café team also provide a free daily breakfast club for families experiencing hardship.
Sarah Hancock, HR Director at Sizewell C, said: “It’s a privilege to be able to play a part in enabling the vital services that Access Community Trust provides here at SAMS café.
“With construction well underway at Sizewell C, we’re at a significant point in our project – and our focus is on ensuring that local people, especially those furthest from the workplace, can access the opportunities this brilliant project provides.
“We’ll be working with the great Access team here in Lowestoft to engage with our supply chain and open up the thousands of jobs and opportunities for renewed skills and training.”
After triggering its Development Consent Order in January and securing its Nuclear Site Licence earlier this year, work is now moving at pace on the Sizewell C site. The project is creating thousands of new jobs and training opportunities for the region, including 1,500 new apprenticeships.
The project’s next community forum, which gives an insight into Sizewell C’s progress, takes place at 19:00 on Wednesday 9 October at High Lodge Leisure near Darsham.