Cafe 62 officially opened today, welcoming locals and visitors to a warm and inclusive space right in the heart of Newport. Located within the Newport Health and Wellbeing Centre at 62 High Street, operated by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (HIOWH), the vibrant new cafe offers more than just a great cuppa – it’s the latest milestone in the centre’s mission to bring people together and support joined-up physical and mental health services on the Island.
Supporting Islanders with disabilities
Run by Osel Enterprises Ltd (Outstanding Support, Education and Learning), a local charity supporting people with learning disabilities, mental health challenges and other lived experience, Cafe 62 serves fresh, healthy, and affordable food and drink.
For over 30 years, Osel has supported Islanders with disabilities through social enterprises such as Wight Crystal bottled water, reinvesting profits into projects that create meaningful work and opportunities for people facing physical or mental health challenges.
Local suppliers
Much of the cafe’s menu is supplied by the popular Scarrots Lane Bakery and island-based suppliers. The cafe was also set up with the help of Island-based suppliers including Betapak, Island Tea and Coffee, and ICR Systems – further strengthening its local connections.
The cafe offers a wide selection of savoury rolls, sandwiches, toasties, and pasties, alongside a tempting range of cakes, scones, and pastries. A full drinks menu includes quality coffees, speciality teas, milkshakes, and soft drinks, making it a welcoming spot for breakfast, lunch, or a relaxed afternoon treat.
A welcoming space for patients, staff and passers-by
The cafe provides not only a welcoming space for patients, staff and passers-by, but also offers paid employment and work experience opportunities to individuals who may otherwise face barriers to the workplace.
NHS staff also benefit from a discount, as a thank-you for the vital work they do. The cafe has already received interest from community groups looking to use the spacious venue for events and meetings.
Gallop: More than a cafe
Mags Gallop, Cafe Manager, said,
“We want Cafe 62 to be more than a cafe – it’s a space where everyone feels welcome. Good food, friendly faces and a relaxed atmosphere are at the heart of what we do.
“The cafe’s large glass windows offer views of the bustling high street, while inside the space is bright, accessible and inclusive.
“Visitors can expect a rotating menu of healthy options, including vegetarian, vegan and allergen-friendly choices, with an emphasis on listening to customer feedback to shape future offerings.”
Offering real opportunities for locals
Lucy Abel, Clinical Director for the Isle of Wight at HIOWH, said,
“Cafe 62 embodies what the Newport Health and Wellbeing Centre is all about – connection, inclusion, and wellbeing.
“It offers real opportunities for local people with lived experience and creates a warm, social space for everyone who comes through our doors.”
Cafe 62 is now open, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, and looks set to become a key part of the Newport community – serving up more than just coffee, but a genuine sense of welcome and belonging – a place where familiar faces soon feel like friends.
News shared by Isle of Wight NHS Trust, in their own words. Ed
