The sudden closure of the STEAM House Café in King’s Lynn has left staff reeling after the charity operating the café, Access Community Trust, fell into administration. The café, a vital support service for mental health, shut its doors on February 25, 2024, without prior warning to employees, who were subsequently made redundant.
Employees have expressed their devastation over the abrupt termination of their roles. One staff member, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that they were informed they would not receive their wages for February, despite having worked through the month. Furthermore, redundancy payments would only be accessible through government claims. “When we asked the administrator during the meeting about the hundreds of clients who rely on STEAM in King’s Lynn, they said it was ‘not our responsibility anymore,’” the staff member recounted.
The absence of communication regarding clients has raised concerns. Staff endeavored to inform as many clients as possible before leaving the premises, but many were left unaware of the café’s closure. “I personally have taken this very hard, especially mentally,” the employee added, highlighting the emotional toll of having to inform clients that a safe space no longer existed. “Having to call clients and hear them break down on the phone was very hard to deal with.”
Access Community Trust previously provided essential support, including housing for over 200 homeless individuals across Norfolk and Suffolk each night through various programs. With the café’s abrupt closure, Norfolk and Waveney Mind has stepped in to offer mental health services in the area. A representative from the charity stated, “We were saddened to learn that Access Community Trust closed its services with immediate effect. This means all services previously run by the charity have now ceased, including the STEAM House Café.”
The handling of the situation has drawn criticism from former staff and community members alike. One individual described the closure as “disgraceful,” emphasizing how many staff members had progressed from being clients themselves to leadership roles within the organization. “Their careers have now been left in tatters with no support or consideration from their former employers,” they remarked.
Many staff members chose to remain after the announcement to ensure clients received support and information about alternative services. “The charity made it clear that they were not obliged to do this, but staff chose to show a duty of care to their clients,” the source noted. This selfless act reflects the deep commitment that the staff had towards the community they served.
The impact of the closure extends beyond the café itself. The 8:56 Foundation, a mental health charity that regularly utilized the café for meetings, is now seeking a new location for its programs. A spokesperson expressed gratitude for the support received from the STEAM House Café, highlighting the vital role it played in creating a welcoming environment for men seeking mental health support.
As uncertainty looms over the future of the café, the community continues to grapple with the loss of a key mental health resource. The Access Community Trust has been contacted for further comment regarding the closure and its implications for staff and clients.
