Illuminate Cafe a Year On

In some ways it's hard to believe that Illuminate Cafe is over a year old. We opened our doors on Thursday 5th January 2023 and a year on it is even more wonderful than I imagined it would be.  

Often, we can find ourselves measuring success by how many people turn up or how long they stay for, success for Illuminate Cafe was never going to be about numbers but rather how do young people feel when they come in. Looking back on the vision for the cafe there were some clear things we wanted to achieve:
 

1. Acting Jesus, instead of teaching Jesus 

2. Being a non-judgemental, safe environment for young people to be in 

3. Being a place for young people to cultivate independence and responsibility  

A year on, the vision for the space is now a reality. There are so many wonderful stories that have come out of it this year and I am excited to see what God has in store for the year ahead.  

We are open Thursdays during term time between 3:15pm-5:15pm at The Youth Space in Verso Vineyard Church (formerly The Vineyard Church St Albans) and are open to all secondary school pupils.