Inclusive café continues great work in the community.

Buddys café is a café that provides a safe and comfortable environment for people with learning difficulties and physical disabilities, although it’s open to all. It’s open from Wednesday to Saturday and is also dog-friendly. This café is unique, and the supervisor has never come across another café like it. Most of the workers are volunteers or students with learning difficulties doing work experience. All the profits, as well as the money taken in by the neighbouring Mencap charity shop, goes straight back into funding community groups.

This café was started by a group of mums with children who had learning difficulties, who believed their children needed to learn in a workplace but were unable to anywhere. So, they set up Buddys café ten years ago, and it’s gone from a few customers to almost a constant flow through the door. It gives customers a safe place to sit and they always feel welcome. You don’t have to buy anything, as it doubles as an information centre, and people will often get a coffee or jug of water and stay the day, for the company and safety. However, there is a tempting array of goodies at low prices, as to include everyone.

But it isn’t just the customers benefiting from the café, it also has lots of work experience opportunities for anyone over 16. They are taken on a six month work experience, and the volunteers then support them. Some volunteers also have learning difficulties. This gives students who would be otherwise unable to the opportunity to experience to learn within a workplace. The students learn customer service, handling money, health and safety and food hygiene. Buddys café takes two volunteers on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with one space on Friday being held for a student from Oak Grove school. They have had success, with some students going on to employment.

I spoke to Sue Turner, the supervisor at Buddys café, and she said that “we’re very specialist in the café industry”, once again demonstrating the unique nature of this place. She has been working here for eight of the ten years it’s been open for, as Sue knew one of the co-founders, and she began work when they were short staffed one day. Two years ago, she took the job of supervisor because of her previous experience in catering and working with people with learning difficulties. She told me that “every day is different” and that a “sense of humour keeps you going”.

This amazing café is continuing to do great work in the community, and it has many regulars coming to enjoy the quality food with low prices, and the safe, caring and inclusive environment. Buddys has grown from a small café started by parents to help their children to a recognised part of our community. They’re always looking for volunteers and will continue to help the community for a long time to come.