At Solace Coffee, we create opportunities through hospitality.
We work alongside justice-experienced young people aged 16–30, using hospitality and coffee as a stepping stone towards brighter futures. Through real-world training, employment and mentoring opportunities, we help young people build confidence, develop skills and take positive steps towards sustainable employment.
Everything we do is centred around potential, not past circumstances.
About Colet House Café
Based within the historic Colet House in Baron’s Court, our café is a welcoming vegetarian and vegan space serving quality coffee, fresh food and a strong sense of community.
Colet House is home to a diverse community of organisations, practitioners and individuals focused on wellbeing, personal development, creativity and social change. Throughout the week, the building welcomes members, workshop attendees, event guests and visitors from across London, making the café a central hub within the house.
Alongside serving the Colet House community and students from LAMDA, the café operates as a live training environment where justice-experienced young people and learners on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) gain hands-on hospitality experience, industry knowledge and confidence in a real workplace setting.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who loves hospitality, great coffee and working with people.
You will support the day-to-day running of the café, help organise events, lead shifts and maintain high standards across service, operations and team culture. Working closely with the Founder & CEO, you will also support wider operational activities within Colet House.
We’re looking for someone who can balance commercial café operations with a genuine desire to create positive impact through hospitality.
For the right person, this role offers a unique opportunity to develop experience in training, mentoring and upskilling justice-experienced young people and ROTL learners within a real-world working environment.
Key Responsibilities
● Support the Founder & CEO with the day-to-day operation of the café
● Lead shifts and deliver exceptional customer service
● Prepare and serve high-quality coffee to a consistent standard
● Supervise and support front-of-house team members
● Train, mentor and support learners within a live hospitality environment
● Help foster a positive, supportive and reliable team culture
● Maintain high standards of cleanliness, presentation and customer experience
● Assist with stock control, ordering, deliveries and reducing waste
● Monitor product quality, service speed and operational performance
● Handle customer feedback professionally and resolve issues effectively
● Support rota planning, shift coordination and team communication
● Assist with cash handling, till reconciliation and basic reporting
● Ensure food hygiene, food safety and health and safety procedures are followed at all times
● Support events and activities taking place within Colet House
● Help drive performance and achieve monthly targets
We’re Looking For Someone Who
● Has strong barista skills and a passion for quality coffee
● Has at least two years’ experience in a similar supervisory, assistant manager or café leadership role
● Leads by example and enjoys being part of day-to-day service
● Has excellent communication and customer service skills
● Is organised, proactive and able to work independently
● Remains calm and professional during busy service periods
● Is confident supporting, motivating and developing others
● Has a genuine desire to create positive impact with the young people we work alongside
● Is interested in developing experience in training, mentoring and upskilling justice-experienced young people and ROTL learners
● Believes hospitality can be a powerful tool for building confidence, skills and opportunities
● Wants to be part of a growing social enterprise with a clear purpose
Desirable Experience
● Experience within a community café or social enterprise
● Experience training or mentoring staff or learners
● Food Hygiene certification or a good understanding of food safety standards
What We Offer
● £25,000 annual salary
● Monthly performance-based bonus scheme
● Tuesday to Saturday working pattern
● 08:30 – 16:30 shift pattern
● A supportive and purpose-driven working environment
● Opportunities for growth and development
● Real responsibility and the opportunity to shape a growing operation
● The chance to combine hospitality with meaningful social impact
● The opportunity to work within one of London’s most unique community spaces
Requirements
Enhanced DBS clearance is essential for this role.
How to Apply
Please apply with your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you would like to join the Solace Coffee team.
If you believe great hospitality can create opportunities, build confidence and change lives, we’d love to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From £25,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
