The Gatelodge Cafe

04/04/2026

Please note all Stepping Stones NI Social Enterprises & Services will be closed Monday 6th April - Friday 10th April inclusive. 🐰

We will reopen on Monday 13th April.

We wish everyone a very happy Easter break! 🐣

03/04/2026

Come and try our Easter🐰🐣 Chocolate 🍫Mini egg Cake and our delicious daily specials today served by our wonderful trainees.
Happy Easter 🤩

03/04/2026

Our trainees enjoying a well deserved trip to IMC cinema in Ards. A big thanks to Kate and James for looking after us so well.
Happy Easter everyone.🐰🐣

16/03/2026

We are closed tomorrow, Tuesday 17th March.

Reopen as normal on Wednesday 18th March.

A polite reminder that all Stepping Stones NI services will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday 17th March, for the bank holiday. 😊

We will reopen as normal on Wednesday 18th March.

12/03/2026

What a busy week🤩 our trainees have had, baking Zesty lemon cake for pur Customers and delicious Cupcakes🧁for our wonderful Gatelodge mums and carers, barista training☕️ with Johnsons Coffee and attended online safety🎮 awareness sessions with Caroline . All happening at the Gatelodge. Well done everyone👏. I wish all our Amazing Mothers and Carers a Happy Mothers Day. 😀💐

17/02/2026

Happy Pancake🥞Tuesday
Come and try our delicious Pancake Stack with Caramelised Banana🍌Syrup and Cream.

13/02/2026

Thanks to everyone that came along to our opening evenings, it was great to meet so many new faces! 👋

Missed the events? Don’t worry, private tours are available at a time that suits you.

For more information or to book a visit, call 028 9266 7124 or email Emmett Mullally, Director of Social Enterprise & Operations, at [email protected].

To learn more about our learning disability support, visit www.steppingstonesni.com.

We look forward to welcoming you and showing you how we make more possible.

12/02/2026

Celebrating Valentines😍 week at the Gatelodge Cafe. Come and try our Valentines menu and delicious treats, Banana 🍌🥞Love Stack, Chocolate 🍫and Strawberry🍓 Brownies, heart shaped sugar Shortbread, Raspberry and Dark Chocolate scones.🍪

06/02/2026

Banana 🍌Love Stack 🥞
Come and try our trainee breakfast special today.
Pancake stack with banana, Greek yogurt, walnut oat crumble and a drizzle of maple syrup. They are absolutely Delicious 😋

05/02/2026

Our trainees enjoyed 🙂taking part in a Healthy mind & wellbeing session with Caroline from SEHSCT.
Winter ❄️can be tough on our mental health — shorter days, colder weather, and less time outdoors can all take their toll. Checking in with ourselves (and each other), keeping a simple routine, getting outside when we can, and staying connected really matters. Small things like a walk🚶‍♂️ in daylight, a warm meal, 🍝 talking things through, or having something to look forward to can make a big difference. Be kind to your mind this winter — it deserves care too 💙

03/02/2026

We’re hiring! 🍰☕

We’re recruiting a bank of casual Catering Assistants to join our team at The Gatelodge Café in Newtownards.

Front of house experience is essential; barista experience is desirable.

If you’re reliable, friendly, and enjoy supporting adults with learning disabilities in a busy café environment, we’d love to hear from you!

To apply: Email your CV and covering letter to [email protected] or pop into the café and speak to a member of our team.

03/02/2026

Our Gatelodge Pool 🎱 champion Kevin 🤩who represents Northern Ireland Disability pool team enjoyed showing our trainees how to play pool🎱 yesterday.
Some future potential players and room for improvement🤭 for a few staff players.
A big Thankyou🙂 to the Breakers Club in Ards for their wonderful support & hospitality.




Pool is a very good low-impact exercise that offers physical benefits like improving balance, burning calories, toning muscles through walking, bending and stretching alongside significant mental perks such as enhanced focus, problem solving and stress relief making it a well-rounded activity for overall wellbeing.