One year of Scran Café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People!!

A year ago, we opened the doors to Scran Café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP). Our biggest café yet. A big, bold step in our mission to help young people realise their full potential in learning, work and life.

Fast forward 12 months, and this café has become a proper part of the hospital community. A place where patients, families, NHS staff and visitors can grab a bite, have a blether and relax.

In its first year, the café has welcomed more than 37,540 customers, serving over 200 NHS staff, patients and family members every single day. Led by an incredible team including 8 young people with Living Wage jobs, alongside work placements and volunteers. For many of the young team, this was their very first job. And they are absolutely smashing it.

The café is Scran's mission in action. A real workplace where young people can learn, grow, make mistakes, build confidence and show exactly what they're capable of when someone gives them a chance.

Along the way, the team have developed new skills, formed brilliant friendships and become an important part of the RHCYP community. Their hard work has even been recognised nationally, with Scran Café at RHCYP named as a finalist at the National Youth Work Awards 2026.

Reflecting on their first year, the young team at RHCYP said:

"Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. We are also thankful to all the people who made this possible, who have been leading and supporting us in this newly opened space. We have also built great friendships along the way, and we are so proud of what we have created."

Yes, we serve good scran and great coffee (we're only a tiny bit biased). But it's about so much more than that. It's about creating spaces where young people feel valued, trusted and brave enough to give things a go.

Scran Academy Founder and Chair, John Loughton BEM, said:

"This year we've watched young people graft, grow in confidence and build something pretty special. Yet again, they proved what I believe to my core:

Back young people and they will amaze you.

To NHS Lothian, our customers, partners and every person who has championed us this year, thank you for believing in young people with us.”

To everyone who has visited the café – thank you. You've helped create opportunities that are changing young lives.

One year in, we're incredibly proud of what this café has achieved.

And trust us, we're only just getting started.

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