Social enterprise, Orchardville, launched a cafe shop at Castle Buildings this month in partnership with the Department of Health.
Orchardville, a registered charity and social enterprise that supports change for those living with learning disabilities and autism, has opened a cafe shop at Stormont’s Castle Buildings.
The initiative, in partnership with the Department of Health, will create six jobs and provide training opportunities for people with learning disability and autism to learn skills that will enhance their employment prospects.
Orchardville will work in close partnership with local government to deliver the catering service. It will complement the work the charity already delivers through its Orchard Cafe on Newtownards Road in east Belfast.
From its offices in East Belfast, Bangor, Lisburn and Derry-Londonderry, Orchardville facilitates occupational and vocational skills, wellbeing support, skills for life and work, OCN (Open College Network) accredited training, school transitions services work placements and paid employment for those with autism and/or learning disabilities.
Annually it supports over 500 local people to access employment and other opportunities, working with 100 employers across NI. As it has grown over the years, Orchardville has extended its services to South Eastern and Western Health and Social Care Trust areas.
Joan McGinn, Chief Executive, Orchardville, believes the contract at Stormont provides a new channel for empowering individuals.
She said: “We believe that with the right support, any individual with a learning disability or autism can reach their full potential and achieve their employment aspirations. The shop and the café will, over time, provide meaningful work experience opportunities to people with learning disability and/or autism who wish to pursue employment in the catering, hospitality and tourism sectors.”
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