CommonSpace columnist and podcaster Michael McEwan says the Spoon Cafe does essential work in helping adults with learning difficulties into the workplace
A FEW years ago I was working with an organisation in the Merchant City in Glasgow, and there were a number of cafes there where I could grab lunch.
My favourite was the Spoon Cafe, a social enterprise and catering service, provided by Unity Enterprise to mentor and train adults with learning difficulties in a supported working environment.
An experienced team of staff encourage individuals in all aspects of catering, whether it be cooking, menu planning, customer service, stocktaking and more.
Spoon cafe is not just about being part of a team, it also helps build confidence, social skills, decision making and the ability to meet new challenges.
Spoon cafe is not just about being part of a team, it also helps build confidence, social skills, decision making and the ability to meet new challenges.
The enterprise operates in a variety of locations around Glasgow and the west of Scotland, though some cafes are on a pop-up basis and some have been operating for years.
Spoon can make a difference by giving individuals time to learn and understand the job they will be doing with the necessary support they need. It works on building individuals’ confidence and self esteem by giving experience and employment skills in a real workplace, by developing a training scheme with a range of basic transferable employability skills.
When I go in to Spoon it’s always busy, and you forget that the staff in training have a disability – and that is the way it should be, whether in a cafe or anywhere else.
Unity Enterprise is committed to promoting the ability of people for full cultural, social and economic inclusion within the community.
It works on building individuals’ confidence and self esteem by giving experience and employment skills in a real workplace, by developing a training scheme with a range of basic transferable employability skills.
The purpose of the organisation is to provide a range and quality of service which assists in empowering individuals, enriching them and enabling them to achieve a positive outcome.
Its service spectrum includes carer centres, housing support services, community care, education, training, business partnerships, a travel agency and cafes. Through these services it provides training and work experience, guidance and support, personal development, education and social activities for young people and adults experiencing disabilities and/or social disadvantages.
Unity enterprise is also committed to promoting equal opportunities through the activities of the organisation.
For more info on its work and on Spoon Cafe please go to the website, and I would recommend you drop in and try the cafe.
Picture courtesy of Unity Enterprise
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