The Hideaway Café - Brewing Bright Futures

Who Are We? 

Dubbed Guildford's 'Hidden Gem', The Hideaway is more than a destination café for those in search of a place to recharge. We are The Hidden Café With A Big Heart. 

As an initiative of Matrix Trust, The Hideaway enriches young people aged 16-24 who are seeking employment by providing tailored traineeships and work placements. 

We provide these young people with invaluable on-the-job skills, qualifications, and opportunities to cultivate confidence, social, and emotional skills, all within an empowering environment supported by Matrix's dedicated youth development team and our exceptional Hideaway café staff, fostering personal and professional growth.

The café is open to the public for barista coffee, cakes and light lunches, with profits from every item served fed back into Matrix youth projects across Guildford.

A vital part of the community

Once the café closes, the space is transformed into Youth Café - just for young people - where they have fun, make friends, build relational connections with youth workers and gain valuable life skills.

This FREE, fun and welcoming after-school drop-in gives young people space to be themselves, connect with others their age and feel valued and encouraged. They can also take part in leadership training and creative workshops. We subsidise food and drinks so they can get a meal before they go home. Best of all, on Fridays all food is free! Over 200 young people have taken advantage of this space since it opened in 2021.

Our Impact

By supporting The Hideaway cafe, you're not just buying a cup of coffee – you're investing in the future of our community. Here's how your support will make a difference:

• Empowering Young People: We offer hands-on training and mentorship to at-risk young people, helping them develop essential job skills and confidence.
• Breaking Down Barriers: Many of the young people we work with face significant barriers to employment, such as a lack of experience or qualifications. We provide opportunities for them to gain real-world experience and prove their potential to future employers.
• Building Community: The Hideaway isn't just a place to grab a bite to eat – it's a hub for our community. By supporting us, you're helping to create a welcoming space where everyone feels valued and included.

Why are we asking for your help?

We're asking for your help because every contribution directly impacts the lives of at-risk young people in our community. Your support enables us to provide essential training, mentorship, and opportunities for young people to thrive, setting them on a path towards a brighter future. 

Together, we can break down barriers, empower youth, and build a stronger, more inclusive community.

Rewards

Anyone who donates £25 or over can be immortalised on the walls of The Hideaway, with their name beautifully inscribed on our  ‘Hide and Seek’ wall.