Esme is one person who has benefited from our Supported Work Experience programme. Help more people like Esme through your fundraising efforts.

We first met Esme in July 2020 and we got to know her through her participation in Bloom our 12 week programme for women. She explained that her long-term goal was to secure a part-time job in a coffee shop where she could use her love for baking.

Our Supported Work Experience programme

As well as being places where anyone can buy our delicious food, our cafes are place where we provide our supported work experience programme. This is a structured 40 hour programme with one of our mentors.

Esme achieved a lot during this time including gaining a Level 2 in food hygiene, new skills and confidence and then enrolling as a volunteer to maintain this. Esme spent a total of 15 months working with us and demonstrated great customer service and barista skills. She was reliable, hard-working and slotted in naturally to our team one of whom said "Esme has really come out of her shell since working here. She has a really positive vibe and is lovely to have around."

Achieving her goal!

In November 2021, Esme than took a further big step forwards when she secured a part-time role in our newly-opened Waterloo Park cafe and thus realising the goal she'd been aiming for. Well done Esme!