A social enterprise training caf\u00e9 opened at the Mount Gambier Library last week. \u2018Bookmarked By Kefi\u2019 is a new concept delivered by local service Kefi Supports to help local people into work. \u201cOur motto for the caf\u00e9 is that everyone is capable to contribute to society in a positive manner,\u201d Kefi Supports CEO Toby Harrap said.<\/p>\n
Eight staff have been employed to work in the caf\u00e9 with assistance from an individual support worker when required. \u201cAll of the support staff we have hired are all neurodivergent, so they have autism, extreme anxiety or ADHD,\u201d Mr Harrap said. \u201cWe have got a group of people who are on supported wages, so they have the capability to work, but they may not be able to work in the pressure of a standard work environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey may just need that extra help, so that\u2019s why we have our support workers on, just to back them up.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cafe menu will be limited to hot and cold drinks in the short term, with plans to launch a \u2018four and four menu\u2019 with sweet and savoury food options in a few weeks time. \u201cAll of our food will be prepared by people with disabilities or mental health conditions so there is going to be a behind the scenes team that do all our baking,\u201d Mr Harrap said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re starting with the basics to make sure we\u2019ve got it right and down the track we\u2019d like to do themed nights, trivia and catering.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said that the caf\u00e9 provides opportunities for people who may feel overwhelmed by a full time job, but still want to contribute to the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe support a lovely lady who has early onset dementia,\u201d Mr Harrp said. \u201cShe has worked hard her whole life and she really wants to go back to work, but she can\u2019t because she can\u2019t remember.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is coming in to work at the caf\u00e9 and she has already told me that she\u2019s going to do my dishes and talk to all our customers and drum up business, so it\u2019s great to give her that opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve also got Laura who is so happy and bubbly and is keen to learn how to make coffee and meet our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kefi Supports hopes to work with local educational providers and cafes to upskill staff. \u201cWe want this to be a growth and development opportunity, so we\u2019d like to work in conjunction with TAFE to get participants certified with a retail or hospitality certificate,\u201d Mr Harrap said. \u201cToni Vorenas at Metro Caf\u00e9 has also indicated that our staff are welcome to do work experience with her to experience a fully commercial caf\u00e9, so we hope to offer that in the future when they feel confident enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
City of Mount Gambier is pleased to partner with Kefi Supports to deliver the program for the next three years.<\/p>\n
\u201cLibraries are all about lifelong learning, so this partnership with Bookmarked by Kefi really makes sense,\u201d manager library and community development Georgina Davison said. \u201cThe caf\u00e9 provides a point of difference in supporting local people to develop their skill set and confidence through Kefi, and I know our community are going to enjoy their hospitality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bookmarked by Kefi trading hours are 9am until 5.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am until 1pm on Saturday and 10am until 2pm on Sunday<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
City of Mount Gambier & Kefi Supports combine forces to set up new enterprise in library A social enterprise training caf\u00e9 opened at the Mount Gambier Library last week. \u2018Bookmarked By Kefi\u2019 is a new concept delivered by local service Kefi Supports to help local people into work. \u201cOur motto for the caf\u00e9 is that […]<\/p>\n