Recent social media posts
22/09/2026
So proud to be part of the Footscray community. To have supervisors like Vicki, regulars like Craig and Sharon, and people who genuinely love this space as much as we do. A Social Enterprise isn’t just a business model, it’s the community we build together, where everyone gets what we’re here for and why believing in it together actually matters.
“You’re missing out if you haven’t been here. Best coffee, best atmosphere, right on the edge, sun on your face.” That’s our Footscray customer talking, not us.
Come see what everyone’s talking about. 💚
10/09/2026
We are a Social Enterprise that works every day, convinced that our mission can change lives and give others a moment of comfort. Today, on R U OK? Day, we want to take a moment to reflect on that.
We have seen it in our customers who laugh with us, the young people who join our programs without judgement, and the team that shows up every day to grow our impact.
That is exactly why this mission matters, because we know the world can sometimes feel overwhelming, and all of us are going through different personal journeys.
That is just how life is.
So we invite you to ask your colleagues, friends, customers, clients, family, and yourself, R U OK? Not just today, any day.
Because showing up for your community can be as simple as asking someone how they are really feeling.
If you need support or want resources to help you have these conversations, you can visit ruok.org.au or reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14, any time.
08/09/2026
This month we asked some of our regulars, Craig, Sharon, Mae and Kerry, one question: what advice would you have wanted to hear when you were young?
Trust yourself. Take the opportunities. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep doing you.
For us, community is everyone. The young people we support, the customers who show up every morning, the partners who believe in what we do. We’re all in this together, and sometimes the most powerful thing we can share is a little bit of lived experience.
04/09/2026
The Lifeblood community has shown us what it really means to support a Social Enterprise.
Whether they’re grabbing their morning coffee, cheering on our Here4Hospitality trainees, or booking our catering for their next meeting, they choose us every single day. And that means everything 💚.
That’s something we never take for granted. We pour care into everything we do, from the coffee we serve to the trainees we support.
We call that community 🫶🏼.
03/09/2026
We’re really proud of the community we’re building at our Footscray café, so we asked Vicki, our Café Supervisor, to sit down with some of our regulars and hear what they think about The Little Social.
First up: Mae, one of our regular customers and an Occupational Therapist at Footscray Hospital.
Mae started coming to The Little Social earlier this year and, as she says, it’s not just the good coffee, pastries and relaxed vibe that keeps her coming back.
She also loves knowing that her coffee is doing a little bit of good for the community.
“Everyone’s buying a coffee every day. Most people do. So if you can change that little habit to do good in the world, then why not?”
We couldn’t agree more.
You can come for the coffee, but we might convince you to come back for everything else.
Choose businesses that do good. Like us. 💚
26/08/2026
Five years at The Alfred, and our team still shows up every morning with the same energy, the same care, and the same passion for what they do.
Along the way, something beautiful happened. The people who came in for a coffee became regulars. The regulars became familiar faces. And the familiar faces became part of our community.
A double espresso for Frank. A lactose-free latte for James. A chamomile tea for Maria. A skinny hot chocolate for Tiarna.
Knowing your order is the easy part. What really matters is that you keep coming back.
Thank you for five years of showing up for us. 💚
14/08/2026
This is what a social enterprise looks like. And we’re proudly certified by Social Traders Australia , and we think it’s worth taking a moment to talk about what that actually means.
It means our business model has been independently verified to deliver real social impact. Not just in what we say, but in everything we do, from how we run our cafés and catering, to where our profits go, to the young people we work with every day.
There are over 12,000 social enterprises in Australia. We’re proud to be one of them, and even prouder of the team that makes it happen 💚
09/07/2026
When businesses use their platform for good, partnerships like this one happen ✨. has been by our side for a long time, and thanks to their support, we’re able to make great coffee, train young people on professional equipment, and deliver the best experience to every customer who walks through our doors.
The best partnerships aren’t just about business; they’re about shared values and real impact. This is what it looks like when businesses show up for their community 💚
23/04/2026
Footscray, we’re here. 🎉
A huge thank you to everyone who showed up for our launch - and to our partners and , who believe, like we do, that social enterprise belongs at the heart of community. And to and - thank you for continuing to believe in us. ☕
This café is powered by - which means every coffee you order here goes straight back into programs that support young people facing disadvantage across Melbourne.
Real skills. Real confidence. Real change - right here in the west! ✨
06/03/2026
Respect to the women who build, lead, support, and persist across every industry.
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY! 💐
18/02/2026
We’re officially brewing at the new Footscray Hospital! ✨
The Little Social is a space built on great coffee, warm hospitality, and real connection. From our early days in Hosier Lane to this brand new hospital site, our focus has always been the same: quality, community, and purpose in every cup.
Now located near the main entrance at Footscray Hospital, we’re here to serve staff, patients, visitors, and everyone passing through - with specialty coffee, fresh food, and a friendly face to brighten your day.
Every visit makes a difference and we can’t wait to welcome you!!
Address
To get to Hosier Lane in Melbourne, you can take public transportation such as a tram or train to Flinders Street Station. From there, it's just a short walk to Hosier Lane. Alternatively, you can also drive and park in one of the nearby parking garages or on-street parking spots (if available). Please note that parking may be limited and expensive in the area. Once you're in Hosier Lane, keep an eye out for a café located nearby.
Opening Hours
| Monday |
06:00 - 13:00 |
| Tuesday |
06:00 - 13:00 |
| Wednesday |
06:00 - 13:00 |
| Thursday |
06:00 - 13:00 |
| Friday |
06:00 - 13:00 |
Alerts
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What people say
The Little Social is not your average café. It's a social enterprise that serves up delicious coffee and nutritious food while empowering young people to lead meaningful lives. The bespoke coffee bar, located in Hosier Lane, Melbourne, is powered by Youth Projects and provides hands-on skills development and mentoring from industry experts to each young person who works there.
What sets The Little Social apart is its pay-it-forward initiative, which allows customers to anonymously purchase coffee and food for someone experiencing homelessness. This initiative is just one element of the café's holistic approach to community health services in Melbourne's CBD.
But it's not just about doing good - The Little Social also serves up some of the finest espresso in town and offers a range of nutritious food options. And with profits invested back into the business to innovate and grow within a social justice framework, you can feel good about supporting ethical business practices when you visit.
Overall, The Little Social is a must-visit café for anyone looking for great coffee, delicious food, and a chance to support an important social enterprise that empowers young people in our community.
