The Scran Academy is a catering social enterprise based in Edinburgh which provides freshly made food whilst offering young people, aged between 13 and 21, a pre-apprenticeship development journey within the business.
John Loughton BEM, founder of Scran Academy, said: "This innovative new enterprise will not only offer great food and a relaxation space for NHS Lothian staff, but it will provide a much needed opportunity for local young people to change their own lives by leading their own real life business.
“Through the cafe and the wider training and support from Scran staff, over 100 young people will access work experience and employment opportunities through the partnership which will build the confidence and life chances needed to overcome the poverty-related barriers so many young people still sadly have to face."
According to recent statistics 45,000 young people aged between 16 and 24-years-old are unemployed and the number of students leaving school without a positive destination has increased to a five-year high.
Jodi (16) from Royston who is a young employee at the Café, added: "I love working and helping at the Scran Cafe. It's different from anything else I've done as it shows me the real world of work.
“It's good serving people, cooking, communicating and working hard in a shift. I feel proud of myself because I've never been confident to speak to strangers or other people, and I feel my skills have already improved."
To find out more about the Scran Academy, visit here.