A new coffee shop in Urmston has opened with the aim of providing meaningful employment pathways for individuals with assessed needs in the local community.
Equal Tea, on Church Road, is run by Trafford-based Away Day Care, an independent family-run care provider. The cafe is the latest part of the company's mission to create more opportunities and increase visibility in the community.
Training and employment opportunities
From September, Away Day Care is offering up to 12 individuals a year a work programme that provides hands-on experience in a real-life cafe setting. The 50-week programme includes one day a week in a learning space at the cafe, where participants will pick up skills from making coffee to kitchen safety, as well as practical life skills.
“It doesn’t focus solely on learning about hospitality, the learning days will be about practical skills such as how to get to and from work,” explains Rebecca Brown, the team’s Care Strategy and Compliance Lead.
Community support and partnerships
Equal Tea has partnered with Manchester cafe Pot Kettle Black and its bakery Half Dozen Other on pastries, as well as local micro bakery Flour & Soul. The cafe serves breakfast baps, bagels, burritos, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, and a full coffee menu.
“The last few years these neighbourhood spots have come together and really supported each other. The community has totally embraced us,” says Ryan Brown, Business Development Manager.
Changing perceptions
The team behind Equal Tea hopes to address the statistic that 94% of individuals with a learning disability have no access to work. They aim to provide sustainable, long-term placements and support.
“These individuals are adults. You and I go to work every day and take risks - why can't they?” says Ryan.
