A new café with a purpose in Bendigo, Victoria, is set to create vital paid work and training opportunities for people with disability, while serving great coffee to the local community. Source: VMCH.
Where Is My Coffee?, a new social enterprise café led by for-purpose organisation VMCH, is now open at Bendigo TAFE’s City Campus, following an official opening event on May 21 during Education Week.
The café has been designed for participants to gain work experience in a hospitality environment, building skills and confidence in customer service, food preparation, and barista work – with the goal of moving into award-wage employment.
Despite progress in recent years, people with disability continue to be under-represented in the workforce. National data shows fewer than half of Australians of working age with disability are in paid employment, compared with around eight in 10 people without disability, highlighting the ongoing need for inclusive employment opportunities.
Craig Tonkin, 30, has been training at the café for the past few weeks and says he has already found his feet.
“Training has been really good. I’m loving being here,” Mr Tonkin said. “I want to learn barista skills, and how to make sausage rolls and pies and how to serve customers.”
Longer term, Mr Tonkin is keen to explore TAFE courses available on campus, with a view to building his skills and confidence for future employment.
Cafe Coordinator and Bendigo local Jacinta Teggelove-Jones says support from the local community and TAFE students in the cafe’s first week has been “fantastic”.
“We’ve had some great feedback on the coffee and food as well, already seeing our new daily regulars,” Ms Teggelove-Jones said.
VMCH chief executive Sonya Smart said social enterprises like Where Is My Coffee? play an important role in breaking down barriers to employment.
“Employment is about so much more than a pay cheque, it brings confidence, connection and a sense of purpose,” Ms Smart said.
“Through initiatives like this café, we’re creating real opportunities for people with disability to learn, gain experience and move into paid work, while being part of their local community.”
The café is part of VMCH’s growing Where Is My Coffee? social enterprise network, including cafés across Victoria, an online shop, opportunity shops and gardening and maintenance crews.
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