Casual Cafe Assistant

Wave Active is an award-winning charity and social enterprise, supporting local communities with facilities, activities, and services to inspire active lifestyles.

Our purpose is “Inspiring Active Lifestyles” and vision, “To be at the heart of the improvement of health and wellbeing in the Community”.

Managing a number of leisure facilities and Newhaven Fort, across the Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough of East Sussex we are passionate about providing opportunities that support individuals to gain, regain or maintain: health, fitness, and wellbeing.

Offering a range of activities across our facilities and multifunctional spaces, our team is dedicated to creating an approachable environment enabling individuals to prioritise their health and wellbeing journey.

As a charity, formed in 2006, Wave Active continues to ensure all surplus revenues generated from activities are reinvested back into the community in the form of: facility developments, refurbishments, employment opportunities, new programmes of activity and to support those with health conditions to make health improvements.

The Post in Context

Wave acquired Meridian Mayhem in 2026.

This exciting addition supports Wave Active’s purpose of inspiring active lifestyles whilst making a significant contribution towards our ambition of becoming an independent and financially sustainable organisation.

Meridian Mayhem is more than an indoor play centre.

We are creating a destination where children can explore, play and create unforgettable memories, whilst parents enjoy a welcoming environment where they can relax and spend quality time together.

Every member of our team contributes to that experience.

As a Café Assistant, you’re much more than someone who prepares food and drinks.

You’re one of the faces of Meridian Mayhem.

You’ll help create memorable moments through outstanding customer service, a welcoming atmosphere and genuine interactions with every family who visits.

Whether you’re making a great coffee, helping a parent carrying multiple trays, celebrating a birthday or simply greeting someone with a smile, every interaction matters.

Our guiding principle is simple

Give Every Person Who Enters the Building a Reason to Return.

Everything we do should support that principle.

Job Purpose

The safety and enjoyment of our customers will always be our highest priority.

As a Café Assistant, you’ll deliver outstanding food and beverage service whilst creating a warm, welcoming and energetic environment for every family visiting Meridian Mayhem.

You’ll help create experiences that customers remember long after they’ve left by combining excellent hospitality with genuine enthusiasm, professionalism and pride in everything you do.

• Summary of Main Duties
• Deliver exceptional customer service to every guest, creating a friendly, welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere.
• Prepare and serve high-quality hot and cold food and drinks safely, efficiently and professionally.
• Ensure every customer is served promptly, courteously and with a positive attitude.
• Maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness, presentation and food hygiene throughout the café and surrounding customer areas.
• Keep the café fully stocked, organised and ready for service.
• Process customer payments accurately and efficiently.
• Engage positively with children and families, helping create memorable experiences throughout their visit.
• Support birthday parties and special events where required.
• Assist parents and carers whenever possible, recognising that small acts of kindness often leave the biggest impression.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Meridian Mayhem, recognising that creating an outstanding customer experience is everyone’s responsibility.
• Identify opportunities to improve the customer experience and share ideas with your Duty Manager.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties that support the successful operation of Meridian Mayhem.
• Other Duties
• Carry out any other reasonable duties as required.
• Adhere to all Meridian Mayhem and Wave Active policies and procedures.
• Promote a positive, inclusive and safe environment for customers and colleagues at all times.

At Meridian Mayhem, we believe our people are what make us different.

We recruit people with the right attitude, personality and potential because we know exceptional customer experiences are created by exceptional people.

Technical skills can be taught.

Creating unforgettable experiences comes from people who genuinely care about others, enjoy making people smile and take pride in everything they do.

If you bring energy, enthusiasm and a passion for helping families create lasting memories, you’ll fit right in.

Together, we’ll work towards our guiding principle

“Give Every Person Who Enters the Building a Reason to Return.”

As a Café Assistant, you are an ambassador for Meridian Mayhem. Every interaction you have with a customer contributes to the experience they remember long after they leave.

Personal Specification

Skills Required

We’re looking for people with the right attitude and personality above all else.

The ideal candidate will naturally

• Have a genuine passion for delivering outstanding customer experiences.
• Be friendly, outgoing and enthusiastic.
• Enjoy interacting with children and families.
• Bring energy and positivity to every shift.
• Take pride in creating memorable moments.
• Communicate confidently with customers of all ages.
• Work effectively as part of a team.
• Stay calm and professional in busy environments.
• Take ownership and notice when something needs doing.
• Be punctual, reliable and trustworthy.
• Share our commitment to giving every person who enters the building a reason to return.

Additional Skills (beneficial but not essential)

• Previous customer-facing experience.
• Health & Safety training.
• Experience working with children or families.
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