Barista and Beyond – the Journey so far
Changing Lives, One Job at a Time
Our Journey in Changing Lives One Job at a Time continues in our café, Barista & Beyond
Our Social Enterprise café, Barista & Beyond, opened up in November 2022. Set up to give people with disabilities a range of learning opportunities and experiences in the local hospitality sector, the Barista & Beyond team now welcomes customers daily from the Reading community, serving a variety of excellent drinks, sweet treats and savoury plates.
As a social and ethical enterprise, all café profits are used to support many more individuals with disabilities to gain meaningful employment. The mission is for Barista & Beyond Café to be a role model that can inspire other employers in the hospitality industry to provide supported employment opportunities too, with the aim to create a more diverse workforce that better represents communities in which we live.
Most importantly, Barista and Beyond seeks to break down the misconception that people with a disability are unable to work to the required standard – with a little support they can, and they prove to be totally loyal and committed employees. Barista & Beyond has helped many Ways into Work clients in gaining experience and confidence in the workplace. Our 18 year old intern Charlie joined us a few months ago and has already gained the skills he needs to secure a job in hospitality. Take a look at Charlie’s Story below.
“I am really proud of the team at Barista & Beyond and Ways into Work for creating a quality, independent café destination that the locality needs. This flagship initiative shows us how businesses can play their part in helping to change our society, changing lives for the better, one job at a time and through this café, one coffee at a time.”
- Jonathan Holley, Managing Director, Ways into Work
Click here to find out more about our Barista & Beyond café and be sure to visit us: 5 Alfred Street, Reading, RG1 7ATNew Paragraph
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