A social enterprise training café has opened at the Mount Gambier Library this week. 'Bookmarked By Kefi' is a new concept delivered by local service Kefi Supports to help local people into work.
"Our motto for the café is that everyone is capable to contribute to society in a positive manner," Kefi Supports CEO Toby Harrap said.
Eight staff have been employed to work in the café with assistance from an individual support worker when required.
"All of the support staff we have hired are all neurodivergent, so they have autism, extreme anxiety or ADHD," Mr Harrap said.
"We 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. They may just need that extra help, so that's why we have our support workers on, just to back them up."
The cafe menu will be limited to hot and cold drinks in the short term, with plans to launch a 'four and four menu' with sweet and savoury food options in a few weeks time.
"All 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."
We're starting with the basics to make sure we've got it right and down the track we'd like to do themed nights, trivia and catering. - Kefi Supports CEO Toby Harrap
Mr Harrap said that the café provides opportunities for people who may feel overwhelmed by a full time job, but still want to contribute to the community.
"We support a lovely lady who has early onset dementia. She has worked hard her whole life and she really wants to go back to work, but she can't because she can't remember. She is coming in to work at the café and she has already told me that she's going to do my dishes and talk to all our customers and drum up business, so it's great to give her that opportunity."
