Coffee shop brews up employment opportunities

A CAFE with a difference is brewing up more than a cup of coffee.

Hull’s latest social enterprise is aiming to get unemployed adults and people with learning disabilities onto the first rung of the employment ladder.

The cafe, which opened on the groundfloor of Hull’s Guildhall yesterday, is a partnership initiative between the council, Caseworks, NPS Humber Ltd and One Hull.

Caseworks, an arm of Hull charity Case, which works with people with learning disabilities, already runs a similar cafe on Bransholme and is looking to open two more by the end of the year. Caseworks provide the catering for Hull food and beer festivals as well as supplying buffets in the public, private and third sector.

Four part-time catering assistants, who will work in Caf Quattro alongside two full-time staff, will be encouraged to move on to other jobs after six to 12 months.

David Banks, Caseworks business manager, said: “A lot of our trainees are able to work and really want to work but don’t have the confidence or skills for interviews. We are trying to get them used to working, earning money and then helping them find another job.”

All the profits from Caf Quattro will be reinvested into Caseworks, directly benefiting the Caseworks students.

Coun Stephen Baker, portfolio holder for adult care, said: “Social enterprise businesses like Caf Quattro give people the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience which will see a direct reinvestment into Caseworks.

“There are no catering facilities like this for staff in the Guildhall or surrounding council buildings, so I hope that council staff will enjoy the new caf. I wish everyone at Caf Quattro the very best of luck for the future.”