Cafe gives learning disabled people on-the-job training

[annie]

A cafe has been set up to give young people with learning disabilities the chance to train while in a working environment.

Situated in a retail park outside Basingstoke town centre, Dome cafe has a steady stream of customers looking for breakfast, lunch, cake and coffee.

All cooking, taking of orders and bill payments are carried out by students who are working towards qualifications in food hygiene, catering and hospitality. "There are a lot of life skills we teach here that are able to be transferred into other industries," says Carl Manners, the manager of the cafe.

The aim is to get young people with learning disabilities into employment after they finish their time with the cafe. "One of our students from last year got a job in his local pub," says Manners. "That's a real success."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30179446

Our local college has a similar scheme & the students work in the Bistro and Restaurant in the college & do a good job