Working together to open doors: SUEZ and Young’s Pubs back employment programme for young people with learning disabilities

The funding will support the café’s mentoring programme, which provides participants with hands-on work experience in a supportive environment. Through the programme, young people develop practical workplace skills, build confidence and gain valuable experience that can help them progress into paid employment.

The initiative also creates a pathway into the hospitality industry, with participants able to move onto employment opportunities with Young’s Pubs following their placement. The programme aims to address the significant barriers many people with learning disabilities continue to face when looking for work, with data from Mencap suggesting around 6% of adults with a learning disability known to local authorities in England are currently in paid employment.

Chris Eldergil, Key Account Manager at SUEZ, said: "This funding will help more young people with learning disabilities gain meaningful workplace experience, build confidence and develop the skills they need to secure employment. By working together with Young’s Pubs and Mahaba Café, we are creating opportunities that can make a lasting difference to people’s lives and futures."

Youth unemployment also remains a challenge, with 715,000 young people aged 16 to 24 being unemployed across the UK in June to August 2026. By investing in opportunities such as the Mahaba Cafe mentoring programme, SUEZ and Young’s Pubs are helping young people overcome barriers to employment, develop new skills and take positive steps towards long-term careers in hospitality and beyond.

Aimee McDonald, Sustainability Manager for Young’s Pubs, comments: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. This powerful spirit of collaboration is at the heart of our partnership with SUEZ and the incredible charity, Mahaba Café. With funding from SUEZ, the project is creating meaningful opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities to step confidently into the world of work and realise their potential.

Too many young people with learning disabilities are still excluded from employment, but hospitality has the power to help change that. Across our Young’s pubs, our talented and supportive teams can offer more than practical experience and we are incredibly proud to have already welcomed three fantastic team members across two of our pubs. Their enthusiasm, positivity and valuable contributions make a real difference, showing what can be achieved when opportunity and potential come together. This is just the beginning. As the partnership grows, we look forward to opening even more doors, changing more lives, and building a more inclusive future across Young’s.’’