Our Journey

Statement from our CEO 27th June 2025

28/06/2025

Statement from Craig McEwen, CEO at The Usual Place in response to question from Craig Hoy MSP to First Minister, John Swinney MSP in Scottish Parliament on 26th June 2025. “We have been overwhelmed by the support The Usual Place...

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Two women dressed in black unform stand either side of a young man in white shirt and black tie. They are all smiling and doing a thumbs up sign. Behind them is a sandstone wall and ornate window of The Usual Place cafe.

Ryan’s First Job! June 2025

27/06/2025

How does it feel to start your first job?Well, according to Ryan, it’s “Amazing!”.Ryan couldn’t resist popping in to see us after his first shift with The Cairndale Hotel & Spa where has successfully achieved a new part time role serving food...

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Lewis’s Journey to Employment in 2024

05/05/2025

Lewis tells the story of his journey through The Usual Place and into to successful employment. Lewis is an SVQ trainee at The Usual Place in Dumfries where he has trained and gained experience in customer service and professional cookery....

First Minister of Scotland walks towards The Usual Place and is greeted by young woman with outstretched hand. Behind her a young man in Usual Place uniform is waiting to greet him too

First Minister Visits The Usual Place 16th April 2025

16/04/2025

A peek behind the scenes to see John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland visiting The Usual Place yesterday. He was given a tour by Katie, Harry and Lewis where he met lots of young people on our programmes and...

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Lewis lands his first job Sept 2024

24/09/2024

We’re celebrating!!! Everyone is delighted that SVQ Trainee, Lewis Pryde has successfully got his first job!!! He will be working part time at The Cairndale Hotel & Spa. Lewis is a fabulous trainee here at The Usual Place where he...

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A young woman and young man wearing black serving gloves stand on either side of a table concentrating hard and setting out the cutlery.

David, Katie and Ryan prepare for Fine Dining Afternoon July 2024

23/07/2024

***Fine Dining Afternoon Update*** David, Katie and Ryan are all very familiar with polishing cutlery and providing accurate table service in our cafe, and they are bringing all their concentration and attention to detail to learning how to set tables...

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Young People Meet Election Candidates June 2024

03/07/2024

Young people invite general election candidates to answer questions at The Usual Place. June 2024

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Young man in red tshirt and black 1610 apron peels onions in kitchen

Jack, Lewis and Shania gain Fine Dining Experience in Top Scottish Kitchen July 2024

02/07/2024

Dine and Empower! We often share celebratory moments here on Facebook when young people create their fantastic cakes and bakes. So you will be used to seeing photos of Jack and Shania working in the kitchen at The Usual Place...

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Young woman stands next to international rugby star Jonny Wilkinson with logos behind for Leaders of Great Britain

Sarah invited to special event by Leaders of Great Britain March 2024

15/03/2024

Sarah meets Jonny Wilkinson at The Mansion House, The City Of London for Leaders of Great Britain. What an incredible experience to hear Jonny speaking about Mindset – everything he advocates resonates so strongly with the powerful transformative experiences we...

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Young people to the left of the image are watching a large screen with members of House of Lords screened on video call

Young People Speak to Power – House of Lords Public Services Committee Enquiry 2024

06/03/2024

*****Young People Speak to Power***** Yesterday Sarah, Luke, Abbi, Jamie and Ross spoke to UK House of Lords as part of an important Select Committee inquiry. Last week our Chief Executive, Heather Hall, also gave evidence to the Public Services...