A Larkhall-based social enterprise has launched a new community café, giving the young people it supports the opportunity to gain practical work experience, while creating a welcoming space for the local community.
The community café officially opened on Saturday 22 August, following months of hard work from the team and the young people who attend Spark Connections. The opening was met with a positive response from the local community, with visitors praising both the café and the young people who helped bring the new venture to life.
Based at 2 Union Street and currently open Mondays and Tuesdays 10-5 and Saturdays 10-4, the Spark Connections community café offers an array of confectionery and home-baked goods, alongside a range of hot drinks made using a barista-style coffee machine, including cappuccinos and lattes. The menu is set to be expanded in the coming weeks, with the addition of soup and toasties.
Visitors can enjoy their refreshments in the café’s cosy indoor seating area, with card payments accepted for convenience.
The community café also offers hot-desking facilities for remote workers, providing a change of scenery and the option to order from the café’s continually growing menu while they work.
The café is run by young people who attend Spark Connections, allowing them to take on different roles and build valuable skills in a supportive environment. From serving customers to preparing drinks and helping with the day-to-day running of the café, the initiative provides an opportunity to develop confidence, independence and practical experience.
Spark Connections was founded by Tricia Bushby in 2019, inspired by her son Cailean, who is autistic and has always had a passion for filmmaking. Seeing how filmmaking helped Cailean develop his confidence, Tricia endeavored to create a similar outlet for other young people with additional support needs. Spark Connections now provides a safe and social environment where young people can explore animation and filmmaking, make friends and take part in activities alongside others with shared interests.
Spark Connections also hosts a variety of community groups, including Bright Sparks, which supports young people who are struggling at school, providing a safe space where they can feel less isolated. Other groups include a teen group, Dungeons & Dragons and sticker swap sessions, as well as a dedicated group for adults aged 18 and over with additional support needs.
Tricia Bushby, founder of Spark Connections, said:
We are delighted to have opened up our pop-up café. I would like to thank all the people who have helped us make this a reality - the generosity of the local community and our funders.
“Our young people have worked hard getting training on the till and the barista machine. I am very proud of them and look forward to rolling this out to other young people with additional support needs in the hope that they will gain the skills to move into employment and volunteering roles.
With the café now open, Spark Connections is encouraging members of the community to get behind the new initiative and pop in for some coffee and cake.
For more information about Spark Connections and the community cafe, visit: https://www.facebook.com/p/Sparks-Connections-100041893371967/.
To make a hot-desk booking, contact Tricia on 07791171546.
