Refuel and find inspiration at the Lighthouse Cafe!

A place for residents to enjoy delicious food, hot drinks and social times. There is also an opportunity for residents to volunteer in the Cafe as part of their Lighthouse Training Programme.

The Cafe is open Monday to Wednesday between the hours of 10am and 12pm.

Our Menu includes:

• Pancakes
• Waffles
• Omelettes
• Paninis
• A selection of hot and cold drinks
• Homemade cakes

The various groups and activities we currently offer include:

• Adventure Walking, kayaking, climbing, camping, biking and more – it’s fun to live at the YMCA!
• Arts and Crafts Watch out for pop-up creative sessions in our lounge and Lighthouse Cafe.
• Football A weekly, fun and social  football session with ENC  (Exeter Network Church) .
• MoodBoost Friday afternoon cafe drop in that includes inspirational talks, trips or walks with the resident community.
• Music Are you a budding songwriter or performer? The YMCA has a music studio and musicicans  to help you follow your passion and explore your gifts.
• New Beginnings A series of walks and talks where we have the opportunity to go out on trips and also to talk about some common issues that people face.
• Therapeutic Horticulture Spend time in nature by nurturing our gardens and green spaces or learning rural skills such as green woodworking or forging. Find out more here.
• Ascend A climbing and mental health group set up to springboard you into achieving your goals- both on the climbing wall and in Life!
• Running Group Train with a team and compete in Exeter’s Great West Run fundraiser!

Our Lighthouse Training Programme helps prepare residents for entering employment.

Residents can participate in 40 hours of voluntary experience in a project placement, increasing technical skill in one of two roles: Horticulture and Rural Skills trainee (in our community allotment) or Café Assistant (in our on-site cafe).  Residents will be assigned a volunteer mentor who will facilitate 1-2-1 skills assessments, CV writing and mock interviews.

Upon ‘graduating’ from the programme, we host a ceremony where staff and residents celebrate each resident’s achievement. In collaboration with the young person, we look for relevant external work and volunteer placements with our partner agencies: Exeter Cathedral, British Heart Foundation, CoCreate and Sidwell’s Bakehouse and more.

A weekly session where you can explore faith, the bible and ask the important questions in life.

We also offer residents the opportunity to attend a local Alpha Course, as well as a Christian Festival for men called ‘The Gathering’.