Sponsors are being sought to support young people with special needs and disabilities to enjoy training and work experience at the award-winning 3 Café Kitchen in Odd Down, Bath.
Based in the grounds of Three Ways School, the café not only provides delicious breakfast, lunch and cakes, but gives young people with special needs training and work experience in a real working environment. The school aims to provide 40 work placements for young people with special needs each year alongside food hygiene and catering qualifications in the café.
Dawn, the jobs coach at 3 Café Kitchen, explained, “The opportunity to work in 3 Café Kitchen gives the young people so much, to see each one grow in confidence and skills, to want to learn more about food preparation and so much more is lovely to watch. We are able to give so many different experiences from wiping the tables and restocking, to preparing soups and cakes, using the till and taking orders from customers.
“All these tasks we can support by breaking them down into smaller tasks, taking the time to explain and demonstrate and working to the young person’s strengths and interests for a really personal experience.”
Lucy Beattie, Fundraiser at the school, added, “We would like to secure partners to sponsor each of the young people who work in the café, ensuring that they are supported by our jobs coach and able to make the most of the experience. The sponsorship is £100 per student to support a placement and we have about 40 students per year on placements. In addition, further opportunities exist to support cookery groups and catering orders which are undertaken by small groups on placement.
“To become a sponsor please do get in touch with us at email hidden; JavaScript is required or check out our social feeds to donate.”
Students like Jess make huge progress working regularly in the café. The ability to work independently, to have confidence to serve customers and to be aware of Health and Safety requirements is amazing to witness. The café showcases to the community and employers what the students with special needs are capable of. Students have gone on to complete work placements including at No. 15 Guest House and Landsdown Golf Club, as well as employment in Lucknam Park and Hotel Indigo.
The cost of running the cafe has risen with higher supply costs and rising energy costs. These all create a huge pressure on a business which was designed with the young people in mind. The aim is not to make a profit but to support the students and provide a high quality community cafe.
To find out more about sponsorship opportunities, contact email hidden; JavaScript is required
3 Café Kitchen can be booked for Cream Teas, private meetings and events and is open daily from 8-3.30 Monday to Friday.