Shed Cafe in Oakham will help people with special needs
Photo: SM250712-005ow Opening of a new caf� at The Shed, Oakham, for people with disabilities and learning difficulties to gain work experience and life skills. Linda Crowther and Edward Sowter.
A CAFE which offers adults with additional needs the opportunity to get work experience has opened.
Glynn Attiwell, who works in the adult social services department at Rutland County Council, launched the weekly cafe on Wednesday last week.
The cafe, which offers hot and cold drinks and snacks, will run in the Shed Youth Club in Melton Road on Wednesday between 10.30am and 1.30pm on a trial basis until Wednesday, August 29.
If it is a success, it could be expanded.
There are 12 people with learning needs who are helping to run the cafe and were either known to the department or recruited through advertising.
Mr Attiwell said it would provide a valuable work experience for them.
He said: “My role is inclusion development with an emphasis on employment and I think this project will help the individuals with not only work experience but life skills as well.
“It is creating opportunities for the future for them.”
The Shed Cafe was launched on Wednesday last week and Mr Attiwell said there had been good community support, which he is hoping will continue throughout the trial.
He said: “We had really positive feedback from everyone who attended, which was really nice to hear.
“Hopefully we will be able to build on that over the next few weeks and I would urge everyone in the community to come along, have a drink or snack and support what we are doing.”
He said the cafe provided the ideal meeting place because there was also Wifi access.
Mr Attiwell also thanked Lands’ End, which has provided uniforms, and the Croft Bakery in Melton Road, Oakham, which has donated freshly-made sandwiches and cakes.
He also thanked Oakham Baptist Church for allowing the council the use of the Shed Youth Club during the project.
To find out more visit www.facebook.com/shedcafeoakham or anyone who wants to help with the project should call Rutland County Council on 01572 722577 and ask to speak to Glynn Attiwell or Carol Skinner.
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Weather for Oakham
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 18 C
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