18th November 2009
Social Enterprise Day
Today is Social Enterprise Day and the Herons Cafe at Coombe Abbey is celebrating its first year of trading.
Herons has served over 20,000 customers since it opened in October 2008 by Coventry based social enterprise WorkForward CIC. The cafe not only offers a warm and welcoming refreshment break for visitors to the Park, but also provides training, employment and work experience opportunities for people with learning disabilities and mental ill health.
Over the past year 15 people have been trained and supported to gain work based skills with a view to helping them to make the move paid employment. One such trainee is Michael Gorrell. Michael has been attending Curries Day Centre number of years and was referred to Herons Café in April.
Being part of the team at Herons and gaining experience in a real work environment has given Michael a lot more independence and new found confidence in his ability. He is learning new skills which will help him to find a job. Michael now says: ‘When I finish my training at the Café I will be able to earn money.’
Herons Cafe is expanding its services by launching a corporate catering service and a pensioner’s lunch club. There are also plans to renovate the interior in the new year. The cafe also sells a range of artwork and greeting cards produced by service users at Curries Day Centre. An Arts and Craft is another social enterprise venture that is being explored.
Staff and trainees will be celebrating Herons’ birthday with invited guests from 2pm-4pm on 19th November.
Kevin Maton, Network Director, Social Enterprise West Midlands, says:
“Social Enterprise Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate the achievements of businesses that exist to make a positive difference to peoples lives and the environment. We congratulate all the staff and trainees at Herons Café and WorkForward for opening and running a new business venture during a very turbulent time and wish them every success in the future.”
