A new partnership is set to create 11 new jobs and provide work experience opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism.
The jobs will be located in the new café at the Grove Wellbeing Centre and have been generated by an initiative between GLL (which manages 14 leisure centres in Belfast) and local charity Orchardville. The partnership will provide training for people with learning disabilities and autism, teaching them skills which will enhance their employment prospects.
Orchardville, a registered local charity and social enterprise committed to changing the lives of people with learning disability and autism, has been awarded the contract to run the new café at the leisure centre. The café, called Orchard @ The Grove, will start trading in early June 2019 and a special open day will take place on May 31 for anyone who would like to find out more about Orchardville and its plans for the café.
Orchardville chief executive, Joan McGinn explained what the contract means and how it will provide a channel for empowering individuals.
She said: “Orchardville is delighted to be working in close partnership with GLL to operate the café at Grove Wellbeing Centre. We have invaluable experience of running our award-winning Orchard Café on Newtownards Road in East Belfast and are looking forward to replicating this success at Grove.
“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 café will 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.”