Café with a conscience promotes "star worker"

Friday 22 February 2019

A "café with a conscience" set up to provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities is celebrating the achievements of one of the first employees it hired by giving the "star worker" a special promotion.

After over a year of working at Beresford Street Kitchen (BSK), Jennifer Crocker has been given the opportunity of additional work and training as part of a two-year apprenticeship.

Run by the charitable trust Aspire, the café opened in August 2017 to provide workplace opportunities for people with widely ranging skills and life experiences - and Jennifer was one of the first recruits.

She has been working as front-of-house, greeting customers and taking orders, as well as in the kitchen, where she helps out cleaning dishes and doing general work.

When she is not at the café, Jennifer likes to sew, among many other things. She also enjoys putting her creativity to paper and creating artwork through Jersey Mencap and some of her creations can be found brightening up the walls in the café.

Pictured: Jennifer's creations can be found on display at Beresford Street Kitchen.

"She is brilliant, she was our Star Worker last year" Georgie Dodd, BSK Fundraising Manager. "Any outside event that I go to, she is always with me, she always gives 110%."

Having been promoted form trainee Jennifer is set to embark on a two-year apprenticeship with the café, which will enable her to work more and receive additional training.

Jennifer will be given increased responsibility working at the social enterprise’s café as well as at their catering outlet at the Jersey Police headquarters. BSK and the Police announced their partnership last year on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, marking another expansion for the burgeoning business.

Over the next two years, Jennifer will also look to gain further hospitality qualifications at Highlands College to build up a record of achievement. It is hoped that at the end of her apprenticeship, she will be ready for open employment or to become a full-time member of the BSK team. 

Pictured: From left, Gabby Ellmers, Jennifer Crocker, Jamie Guyer and Georgie Dodd.

“I would like to stay on at BSK as long as I can, as there’s nothing I don’t love about working here," Jennifer said. "I enjoy the variety of my day, meeting new people and getting to work at different locations. I have had a few jobs before coming to BSK, but this has been the best one because of the support they offer me.”

Gabby Ellmers, Managing Director at BSK, said: “Jen’s confidence has really grown during her time here and she’s been an asset to our front of house team, always willing to volunteer for any additional work."

In the short time it’s been open, the kitchen, which is run by charitable trust Aspire, has already branched out from the café business, having opened a dedicated printing workshop and retail shop. Combined, the two outlets employ over 50 people, enabling them to gain practical experience in a wide range of catering and hospitality operations including customer service skills, barista skills and food preparation, as well as printing.

Pictured: Trainees and apprentices at BSK gain practical experience in a wide range of catering and hospitality operations.

All the money generated through sales in the café and workshop goes back into the charity - and the more money BSK raises, the more positions they can offer. Ms Ellmers explained that while Jennifer was "very deserving" of her promotion, it wouldn't have been possible if it hadn't been for a donation. Optimus Recruitment donated £15,000 last year, which was used specifically to pay for Jennifer's apprenticeship.

"There is a cost associated with the training given to apprentices and we wouldn’t be able to offer these posts without the support and generosity of the public and our corporate partners," Ms Ellmers said.

Jamie Guyer, Managing Director of Optimus Recruitment, added: “I am delighted that our donation has meant that Jennifer has this opportunity to further her career in the hospitality industry. We strongly believe that there is a job out there to suit everyone and we are glad that Jennifer has found a good match in BSK.”