Following the overwhelming success of its flagship Bold & Brave Café at Taunton Library, opened in partnership with Somerset Council in June 2023, Young Somerset is proud to announce a series of exciting developments that continue to place young people—especially those with additional needs—at the heart of its mission.
The Taunton Library café has exceeded all expectations, offering a dynamic and supportive space for young people to gain real-world hospitality experience. Since its opening, over 12 young people have moved on to meaningful employment, while others continue to gain invaluable skills in customer service, teamwork, and business management.
Currently, the Bold & Brave project supports 10 young people who have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) across its two Taunton-based sites—the café in the library and the shop in the Independent Quarter. Somerset Council’s unwavering support has been instrumental in enabling this inclusive and impactful programme.
Inspired by the impact of the initiative, the Severnside Community Rail Partnership and Great Western Railways reached out after seeing Bold & Brave’s work online. This partnership will result in a new Bold & Brave café opening at Bridgwater Railway Station in June 2025. The café will provide opportunities for supported internships and employment support, expanding access to those with an EHCP and those who do not have an EHCP —a significant step in addressing barriers to employment.
In another exciting development, Wellington Town Council has invited Bold & Brave to operate the café at the upcoming Wellington Hub, located at the former Kings Arms. A soft launch is planned for Summer 2025, inviting feedback from young people to shape the offer before its full opening in September 2025.
Bold & Brave is a social enterprise operated by Young Somerset, one of the region’s leading youth organisations. Its cafés and shops provide inclusive pathways into employment for young people across Somerset, particularly those with additional needs.
For more information, visit: www.boldandbrave.co.uk.
