The Cafe Helping People With Disabilities Find Work

A new inclusive cafe aimed at helping young adults with disabilities find employment and develop skills has opened.

Stuart and Sharon Hobbs were inspired to open the new cafe in Martlesham, Suffolk, after their son Kyle, who has Down syndrome, found there were limited work opportunities after college.

The new venue, called 21 Young Hearts, has taken on 12 trainees with a range of disabilities who will be supported and given training.

Mr Hobbs said the family had funded the cafe themselves and were supported by friends, while Mrs Hobbs said she wanted the cafe to become a community hub.

“One of the things we found was that when Kyle finished college, there wasn’t much for him to go into and try and get a wage,” Mr Hobbs explained.

“We wanted to flip things on its head so it gives the opportunity for adults with disabilities to earn a wage, and this is what he is going to become a part of.”

The cafe is open, but an official launch will be held on Monday between 13:00 BST and 16:00.

“It’s important we get it right for everyone, it’s important that we get it right for the trainees, the staff, and actually the community,” Mrs Hobbs added.

“I want it to be a community hub, a space for everyone, no disability is a barrier here at all.

“It’s really about making sure we can offer things to everyone, and it’s exciting.”

As well as the 12 trainees, there will be six staff members supporting them.

Emma Pulford, the care director of the cafe, is on hand to reassure the trainees and support them where they need.

“I think it’s really important to get to know them on that individual level so that they feel comfortable to come and do what they deserve to do,” she said.

“They deserve [to work] and there just isn’t enough out there… we want to change that.”

Mr and Mrs Hobbs said they were focused on ensuring the cafe’s opening went well, and had a long-term goal of potentially opening more cafes across Suffolk.