The Glowsticks Project

09/08/2025

All set up for George's 3rd birthday - a ball pool party!

Sophia and Erin are dedicated party hosts for today too ❤️🎂🎶

09/08/2025

Exciting news... we are recruiting!

** Chef/highly experienced cook

At The Glowsticks Project, our charity is dedicated to helping children and young people with Autism and ADHD; we are creating a vibrant and healthy working environment, full of support and nurture.

We’re on the lookout for our next team member to help our young people flourish through skills and guidance. As a chef, you will play a pivotal role in bringing our mission to life by preparing meals that feed the public and foster a sense of belonging in our young people.

Position Summary

The chef will lead the planning, preparation, and ex*****on of the charity's “call to order” menu in our Café. This role involves managing kitchen operations, collaborating with volunteers, and ensuring adherence to health and safety standards. The ideal candidate will be passionate about food, community service, and making a tangible impact on the lives of others.

Key Responsibilities

· Plan and prepare daily or weekly menus, focused on nutritious meals using fresh ingredients.

· Oversee all kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, and service.

· Manage food inventory, ensuring efficient use of resources and minimal waste.

· Collaborate with charity staff and volunteers to organise and execute a busy service.

· Train and guide kitchen volunteers, ensuring they feel confident and engaged in their roles.

· Maintain cleanliness and organisation in the kitchen, adhering to food hygiene and safety regulations.

· Coordinate with suppliers and partners to source fresh and high-quality ingredients.

· Provide input for food-related fundraising events or initiatives where necessary.

Qualifications and Skills

· Formal training in catering would be advantageous; we would look for the equivalent professional kitchen experience in lieu of qualifications for the right team member.

· Proven experience managing or working in a commercial kitchen environment.

· A passion for cooking and a commitment to reducing waste and maintaining high standards.

· Strong organisational and multitasking abilities, with attention to detail.

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public.

· Knowledge of nutritional requirements and “Natasha’s Law” when preparing food

· Understanding of food safety standards and certifications (e.g., food handler's certification).

Work Environment

The cafe is based in a busy shopping centre and can be a fast-paced environment. The chef will work alongside a diverse team of staff and volunteers and will have opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of those people with Autism and ADHD.

This is a hands-on role, requiring physical activity, and the ability to adapt to varying food availability and kitchen resources. At the moment the café is open Wednesday – Saturday each week, and the chef is usually required to work between 8am and 3pm each day, although there is scope in the near future to increase the days/hours.

Compensation

We are a charity, so we run solely on donations and funding; the starting wage would be £12.21 with the option to grow the role in the future and develop the salary accordingly.

Many of the other staff the Chef will work with are unpaid volunteers, donating their time. Staff are supplied with a uniform and are entitled to a staff discount on all food and drink. We have an employee support plan from an external HR partner, and we can arrange free staff parking in the shopping centre carpark.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a C.V, a brief cover letter explaining their passion for the role, and any relevant certifications. Enhanced DBS checks will be performed on the successful candidate.

Join Us

If you are a chef who believes in the transformative power of food and community, we want to hear from you! Join us in illuminating the pathway of Autism and ADHD, one meal at a time.

Email: jobs@theglowsticksproject.org.uk

Job Types: Part-time

Pay: £12.21 per hour

Expected hours: 28 per week

Benefits:

Employee discount
Free parking
On-site parking

07/08/2025

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." — Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

This quote sits at the very heart of what The Glowsticks Project is built on — care. Relentless, uncompromising, wholehearted care.

I want to take a moment to speak, not as a founder, but as someone who watches in awe each day at the lengths our team go to - not for money, not for recognition, but because they believe in what we’re building together.

More than 60% of our team, including our entire senior leadership, are voluntary. Our café staff, some contracted for just 10 hours a week, regularly give 30+ hours — staying long after customers have gone to deep clean, repair broken fixtures, deliver leaflets in the rain, respond to messages late at night, and support one another through it all.

Our Head Chef, Phill, gives over 40 hours voluntarily every week. Our business manager Pete also gives 40+ unpaid hours while working full time elsewhere. Our vice chair of the board, Tracey, contributes more than 40 hours a week, quietly behind the scenes. As for myself — I’ve lost count. But I do it because I believe this space, and the people in it, matter - and the majority of us are also parent carers to children with profound additional needs too, and i home educate my son.

Our paid staff give far more than they are ever paid for. They fill in gaps, pick each other up, and pour their energy into making sure our supported team — many of whom are autistic, have ADHD, or learning disabilities — can continue working in a place that values them.

This project is not driven by profit. It’s fuelled by a kind of love and commitment that’s hard to put into words. We’re here because we care. Because we must. Because if we don’t — who will?

From our café team to our children’s activities team, from our trustees to our volunteers — thank you. You are the heartbeat of Glowsticks. You are the reason we’re still here.

And thank you to our customers who keep showing up every single day keeping our lights on, shouting out about what we do, donating money and items to sell... thank you so very much

With pride, gratitude, and so much love,
— Rebecca

Founder, The Glowsticks Project

07/08/2025

The Mighty Ham & Pease Pudding Fadgie! 🐷💛

Soft, fresh-baked in house fadgie, layered with tender ham and creamy pease pudding – a proper North East hug in a bun.

📸 Snapped by a very happy customer!

Grab yours while they last… our chef is embracing full Northern Cuisine with Trainee Chef Chloe! 😉

06/08/2025

Goooood morning!, We’re OPEN, Teesside! 🎉 Come and get your morning fix!

Now, the real question… are you Team Black Tea or Team Black Coffee? (Don’t worry, we won’t start a café riot… probably 😉). At Glowsticks, it’s not just about the cuppa – we’re a community café with purpose, and every drink is poured with care by our brilliant front-of-house team. 🌈☕

Start your day with us, grab your brew, and join the debate!

We offer refillable batch pour Americanos too!

📍 Dundas Shopping Centre & Indoor Market , 1st floor, above the old Brickyard Bakery

05/08/2025

Meet the Glowsticks Salted Caramel Frappe – pure sunshine in a glass! ✨

Creamy, dreamy, perfectly chilled, and finished with a swirl of whipped cream and a little extra sparkle (because why not?).

But here at Glowsticks, we’re not just a café – we’re a community café with heart. Every drink is served up with care by our brilliant front-of-house team, who are here to make your day a little brighter with every sip. 🌈☀️

Pop in, grab one, and taste the difference that purpose makes! 💛

📍 Dundas Shopping Centre & Indoor Market , 1st floor, above the old Brickyard Bakery

05/08/2025

🌅 GOOD MORNING TEESSIDE! 🌅

The ovens are on, the flour’s flying, and Chef Phill has been up early baking FRESH fadgies – ready for you the moment we open! 🥖✨

On Saturday, you snapped up 109 in just 3 hours.
Yesterday, we only popped the door open for maintenance… and you QUEUED. For fadgies. 🤯

So by popular demand, we’re open TODAY! – and they’re coming out of the oven as we speak!

✨ Freshly baked daily – 70p each or 6 for £3.40.
✨ Teesside tradition, handmade with love.

Get in quick – they’ll go faster than you can say “get one down ya!”

📍 Dundas Shopping Centre & Indoor Market, 1st floor, above the old Brickyard Bakery

💛 Not just a café… we’re a community.

04/08/2025

You asked, and we are doing it...

Tomorrow we open 9am - 3pm, bright and early!

Make it worth our while folks or we might change our mind about Tuesdays! 😉

04/08/2025

☀️ A plate of sunshine, Glowsticks style! Our tuna salad is fully loaded with crisp veggies, creamy cottage cheese, juicy corn, eggs, and a dollop of love – the perfect mix of fresh and filling.

But here’s the thing – we’re not just a café, we’re a community café with purpose. Every dish is made with care (and a dash of pride!) by Chef Phill and our amazing Trainee Chef Chloe, who are serving up more than food… they’re serving up confidence, skills, and second chances. 🌈🥗

Get one down ya, Teesside – this is what community tastes like! 💛

📍 Dundas Shopping Centre & Indoor Market , 1st floor, above the old Brickyard Bakery

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03/08/2025

🍭 Who can book onto our sessions?

💚 These sessions are open to children and young people living with Autism and ADHD. Siblings (with or without ASD/ADHD) are welcome, and if your child needs a friend (with or without ASD/ADHD) to join them, they are also very welcome (both require a ticket!)

💚 You do not need to be registered.

💚 No diagnosis required.

💚 You can bank transfer if you cannot use PayPal, just pop us a message and we will send you bank details. Thank you!

No registration needed!

What's on at The Glowsticks Project hub this coming week? ...

Wednesday the 6th August- 10am-12pm - summer holiday special: paper mache , junk modeling and mosaic making 🤗

Friday the 8th august- 1pm - 3pm - summer holiday special- self portraits, face painting and bubble art 🎉

Saturday 9th august- 10am - 11am- stay and play with the theme of summer 🏖

If you would like to book your child onto any of these sessions please use the link below:

https://bookwhen.com/theglowsticksproject

Please ensure you have booked your child on before bring them along.... thank you 😊

We will look forward to seeing you all soon 🌟

03/08/2025

No registration needed!

What's on at The Glowsticks Project hub this coming week? ...

Wednesday the 6th August- 10am-12pm - summer holiday special: paper mache , junk modeling and mosaic making 🤗

Friday the 8th august- 1pm - 3pm - summer holiday special- self portraits, face painting and bubble art 🎉

Saturday 9th august- 10am - 11am- stay and play with the theme of summer 🏖

If you would like to book your child onto any of these sessions please use the link below:

https://bookwhen.com/theglowsticksproject

Please ensure you have booked your child on before bring them along.... thank you 😊

We will look forward to seeing you all soon 🌟

03/08/2025

Im not sure about you guys but we are very excited for Saturday's stay and play 10-11am 🤗.
We will have the theme of summer and we will have out some sand that the children can play with and maybe even create a beach picture with ⛱️☀️ along with more activities....
If you think your child would enjoy this session please use the link below:
https://bookwhen.com/theglowsticksproject

This session is for 7 years of age and younger 7️⃣

We will look forward to seeing you all soon 🌟