Sam's Wellbeing Hub and Café in Lowestoft is transformed

After breathing life into, and securing the future of a long-term vacant shop just off Lowestoft’s high street, SAMS café was established in 2015 by regional charity Access Community Trust (ACT) as its "original social enterprise café".

Originally, set up as a ground-floor community café and safe training base for vulnerable young people breaking into the hospitality sector, the premises' popularity has grown considerably over the years.

Sam's Wellbeing Hub & Café is officially unveiled in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Having undergone a major transformation the venue on Bevan Street East, reopened with an official unveiling of the new look community wellbeing hub and café.

As Sam's Wellbeing Hub & Café was unveiled, an ACT spokesman said: "The entire three-storey premises has been completely transformed into a 'beacon of hope' for individuals, families and the local community seeking support or guidance in their time of need."

After receiving a small grant, the premises temporarily closed earlier this year.

Serving at the counter of Sam's Wellbeing Hub & Café in Lowestoft - Judith, Karen and manager Tracey McFee. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Manager Tracey McFee and her team supported TeamVIY - a fellow charity that supports young people learning trade skills while renovating community spaces - to make the venue even more inviting.

Now the community café is home to Thrive employment and training services; Dual Diagnosis support; regular community policing engagement sessions; safe client meeting spaces for other local grassroots charities; individual and group offsite meeting rooms; soft touch base for East Coast Communities Team; pay what you can private hire space/offices; community outdoor catering offering; a meeting point for hosted weekly Wellbeing Walks and a drop-in charitable mental health support and guidance.

Cutting the ribbon at the official unveiling of Sam's Wellbeing Hub & Café in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) The service was bolstered by a grant from Sizewell C’s community fund to support the day-to-day running costs of the enhanced service for the next two years.

SAMS Hub Manager, Tracey McFee, said: "We recently closed for a few months to be rebranded.

"Now open again everybody is welcome as we build a community.

Inside Sam's Wellbeing Hub & Café in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "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.

"Helping others in their time of need is vital and we work with many local partners, to do just that."

Invited guests - including Lowestoft MP Jess Asato - at the official unveiling of Sam's Wellbeing Hub & Café in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Lauren Goulder, operations delivery manager of employment and life opportunities for ACT said: "The transformation has been incredible."

Since opening in 2015, SAMS has provided direct support to over 1,000 people locally and provided more than 9,000 free meals to those in need within the café.

An additional 6,000 community meals were also delivered throughout the pandemic.

The café is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and it hosts its first public Cost of Living and Wellbeing Event next Wednesday, September 25 from 9am to 1pm - with organisations and services providing advice and highlighting the community support available to those in need this Autumn.

Visit its website to find out more.