Café employs adults with Down's syndrome to boost their future career prospects

A café that only employs people with Down syndrome has opened in Headingley, Leeds.

Café 21, which is operated by the charity Sunshine and Smiles, gives 14 young adults aged 18-24 the opportunity to work in the kitchen and front of house - all of whom are paid the National Living Wage (NLW).

It is hoped they will gain vital transferable skills to boost their future career prospects.

Ailith Harley-Roberts, service manager at the charity, said: “The young people here have thrived. Some of the staff want to be customer-facing, others love doing stock-taking or working in the back. There is so much involved, they are learning a lot about customer service.

“I have spoken to one parent who said their son has been setting his alarm each morning and can’t wait to come into work. That is what it is all about.”

Staff at the cafe are able to apply for a number of different roles depending on their preference, with one worker, 21-year-old Catherine O'Donnell, helping take orders, clear tables and prepare food.

Members of staff are given one-to-one tuition from the charity's volunteers and offered the chance to undertake formal qualifications.

Roisin Prior is a member of staff at Cafe 21. She delivers food to customers, takes orders and washes up.

"Working here makes me feel fantastic," she revealed "and it is such a nice team to work with."

'I would have stayed for hours'

The launch of the cafe comes after national statistics revealed that only 17 per cent of all adults with a learning disability are in paid employment.

Ms Harley-Roberts explained: “Clearly, it can be difficult for the young people we support to get the work experience and training they need to secure jobs. We aim to meet the needs of young people with Down syndrome in the workplace and create a long-term model where participants are treated like any other trainees and can access training and paid work.”

Since opening on 12 January, customers have heaped praise on the café and staff.

One lady said: “I visited the cafe today and it was absolutely bustling, yet all the staff were extremely attentive to all visitors,” while another added “I would have stayed for hours if it wasn’t so busy with people queuing for tables, which was absolutely wonderful to see.”

Café 21 is open from Thursday to Sunday and is a permanent fixture for at least the next six months in Leeds. Ms Harley-Roberts hopes the café will remain a “great success”.

The project has been funded with help from The Seedbed Trust and The Wesleyan Foundation, while Sunshine and Smiles is a charity that helps children and young people across Leeds by providing speech and language therapy, regular groups and activities, individual support and advocacy for families.

For more information about Sunshine & Smiles click here