A bit of background...

My daughter Jessica has Autism and severe learning difficulties. She is turning 17 this year and this led me to look into what is 'out there' for her when she leaves school. There are supported internships for young people with disabilities but most are more suitable for young people that have milder learning difficulties, not for kids like Jessica. Young people who have severe/specific learning difficulties (SLD) need a lot more time to process what they are learning with daily repetition and a much longer time to consolidate that learning. They need to be learning life and work skills from a younger age if they are to stand a chance of getting work when they reach adulthood. Unemployment amongst this cohort is a huge problem. Currently only 0.8% of people aged 16-64 years with a severe or specific learning disability are in work - See here on Chart 6 ONS Data . This is shocking as our youngsters have a lot to give their local communities and do not want to be sitting at home doing nothing. . The many barriers faced by people with a learning disability to access employment include:

• a lack of good quality support to get and maintain employment

• a lack of support to build confidence and skills

• employers’ attitudes

• lack of understanding as to what people with a learning disability can do with the right support. (Source: Mencap 2019)

Young people with learning difficulties have a right to work, to have the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts and to live life to the full.

I therefore decided to form a Community Interest Company for young people with SLD aged 14+ and it will take the form of a coffee van. This is a not for profit company and any monies made from the sale of coffees and other goods will be reinvested into the company to train more students.

Why a coffee van?

Coffee is a growing trend and not seasonal. It allows us to start small scale, has low start-up costs, less overheads, good profit margins (up to 95% - NCASS), allows for flexibility and will be run as a real business. It can be parked outside the students’ current place of education. This saves travel time but also means that the students are already somewhere familiar, which will reduce anxiety (common in children with disabilities).

What the students will learn/gain

• Communication skills and meeting new people/friends.

• Working as part of a team

• Decision making

• Food and drink preparation

• Hygiene and safety

• Functional numeracy and literacy

• Money handling

• Experience of running and contributing to a real business.

• Baking cakes and biscuits

• Gain industry recognised certification to take on to other employers (ASDAN, NVQ, food hygiene, First Aid)

Our Mission

1. To provide a training and work placement giving experience and opportunities for age 14+ with learning difficulties to bridge the gap between education and supported internships/employment.

2. Students to gain experience of running/working for a real business.

3. To provide social engagement and integration between SEN young people and their local community.

4. To raise awareness of SEN and to showcase the students’ skills and what contribution they can make to society.

5. To use local suppliers as much as possible to create a partnership with the local community.

6. To give young people with learning difficulties the chance to succeed, increase independence, decrease social isolation, and contribute to good overall mental health.