Young adults with learning difficulties, autism or mental health needs are being given vital experience of work in a Holbeach café and radio suite that’s proving a huge success.
Project Café, on Park Road, looks and feels like any other hugely popular eatery.
But the vast majority of people serving are volunteering and experiencing their first taste of what its like to work.
That’s the idea behind both the café and the fully equipped studio, where users of the Holbeach branch of operators County Care, can create their own programmes.
Project Café has proven such a success in the town that it has recently had a revamp and been given the highest possible five stars for food hygiene.
Day service manager Carla Craney said of the team: “They’re involved in everything, from checking stock, taking orders, serving and cleaning up.
“They come up with specials and help set the menus, the group are always coming up with ideas.
“It’s about getting experiences that they are not going to get elsewhere.
“It can help them go on to do other voluntary work or potentially, a fully paid job.
“It certainly helps to build their CV.”
Carla says that so far around 40 people have come in to work in the café.
“We’ve had a few people unsure if they’re able to do it, but we tell them to give it a go and so far we’ve never had to turn anyone away.
“It’s absolutely amazing watching them learn new skills.”
“Seeing all of their confidence grow is fantastic,” adds Grace Fisher who works as front of house. “They may start out quite shy but it builds up and it’s great to see them progress on things including taking payments.”
Katy Hart is a full time employee who is in charge of the kitchen.
“The best thing about working here is the team themselves,” she added. “Everyone is just so happy to be here and it’s so full of energy.
There’s special awards available to the team including a Golden Apron award, one for ‘Going The Extra Mile and a ‘Chef of the Year’.
One of the volunteers helping out, Lily Walmsley, said: “I like working front of house.
“I’m a bit more confident around people. I’m not as shy anymore.”
County Care Independent Living as set up in 2010 by Marian and Grant Wadge to provide a meeting place and host activities for adults with learning difficulties.
It began in Surrey but branches have popped up in several locations, Holbeach’s opened in October 2017, and there are also branches in Skegness and Boston.
The success of the café in Skegness inspired the launch of Project Café in Holbeach.
The café is open 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday, with last orders at 1.30pm.
There is a brunch menu available every day and a calendar of special events including an upcoming Mother’s Day afternoon tea.
For the County Care users, the experiences don’t just finish with the café.
They can also take part in Project Radio which is available online at www.project
radio.co.uk/ or by asking smart speakers to play it.
A host of shows are broadcast during the week including some from Holbeach.
On Fridays a number of users research and interview a regular guest.
One of the team recording last Friday, who did not wish to be named, said: “For several years I’ve had aspirations to get a job and this is going to help.
“Project Radio is really good and very inclusive.”
