Beresford Street Kitchen makes an impression with new printing workshop

Tuesday 29 May 2018

In addition to getting your daily caffeine intake and yummy cakes at Beresford Street Kitchen, you can now "print with a conscience."

The first print-outs came off the press in April, and the printing workshop is already busy with orders.

The new workshop has given 12 islanders with learning disabilities and autism the opportunity to train and learn new skills in the hope they will then be able to get employment in local companies.

Another 37 people work in the café, which provides practical experience in a wide range of catering and hospitality operations including customer service skills, barista skills and food preparation. However, it wasn't a good fit for everyone and that is where the printing workshop came in to play. Based above the café, it gives people the opportunity to work at their pace, without having to face customers.

Georgie Cottini, Fundraising Manager, explains: "Some of the people working in the workshop gave the café a go but it was too stressful. One didn't like being in people's eyes but as soon as they entered the workshop and went onto the computer, they were a whiz kid.

"Another one tried the catering workshop but didn't like it. We kept them on our books and as soon as we opened the workshop, we got them in and they loved it! They all thrive in here while they couldn't cope in the café."

Pictured: 12 people are currently working in the café.

After printing their own uniform, the team has been busy dealing with orders. So far 10 local companies and charities have placed large orders while another five have made smaller ones for mugs and tops. But small or big, the workshop is ready to take on anything that comes their way. Georgie says: "We are slowly getting more and more orders. It is starting to pick up. We have done caps and bags for Ipes, some mugs for Ransom's and tee shirts for the Childcare Trust.

"If companies have something in mind, we can give it a go. The team is super productive and we can also do the designing as Bec, one of the support workers, is trained in technical designing. All the money that we make from the workshop gets put back in and helps train more people. We want companies to know that by printing with us, they not only get the work done but also give back and help support what we do."

Video: Inside Beresford Street Kitchen printing workshop with Charlotte, Heidi and Ryan.

The printing workshop, much like the café, is not meant to just be a place of work for islanders with learning disabilities and autism. Run by the Aspire Charitable Trust, which aims to give disabled islanders a helping hand in society, they are designed to help people gain skills so they can then move on to other jobs. While some of the trainees have tried jobs thanks to the Jersey Employment Trust, some have never worked a day in their life. "Nowhere gives them the opportunity that we do here," says Georgie.

But it is not all about the job, working has also helped the trainees gain confidence in their personal lives. "One of our trainees had never got on the bus by herself. Now she takes it daily to come to work. Working here gives them so much independence. They also get to create friendships, on their days off, they meet together in the café for lunch. It gives them a focus in life

"We just want to train these guys hoping they can get in the workplace. We want companies to realise they are just as capable as anyone else of working in a normal 9 to 5 job."

With at least 20 people hoping to get a place at the café or printing workshop and an ever-increasing waiting list, the social enterprise hopes to grow in the next few years with more projects. An admin office or a farm could be the next ventures as Georgie says: "We want to find a niche for these guys to be able to work. It's about finding something for everybody and making the best use of their skills.

"At the moment we are focusing on what we have and making sure every one is doing well. We are looking to find more companies to sponsor our trainees. People can invest in somebody's career and sponsor an apprentice for £5,000 a year. We already have some apprenticeships lined up with Highlands College and Longueville Manor. I used to worry that there was nothing for these guys after they turned 18. Now there is and we just want to keep going."