Allstars Community Café is cooking up a storm after winning this year’s Alliance Scotland’s Self Management Award 2020 for employability.
Chosen by SUSE (Scottish Association for Supported Employment) it recognised the café’s role in supporting people to live their lives better and on their terms.
The café was commended for its strong ethos of encouraging community participation and social isolation and running as a not-for-profit enterprise, putting the profits back into the school and local community, including providing surplus food at the end of its day to local homeless units.
The café, based at Firpark ASN Secondary School, began its catering venture a year ago with the assistance of the council’s supported enterprise service, Forgewood Community Centre and local employer Engie, who helped with the initial set up costs.
Prior to Covid, the café was staffed by S5 and S6 pupils who served a tasty lunch every Thursday.
The pupils were assisted by a job coach and a teacher from the school who provided training in all areas of hospitality.
A job coach is also on hand help with other employability skills and job finding for the pupils.
Talking about her work experience, Emma, an S6 year pupil at Firpark, said: “The day I attend the café is the best day of the week and I love meeting new people and having fun.
“I have learned so much in my time there and my mum is so proud of me.”
Cathy Brien, manager of Forgewood Community Centre, added: “The Allstars Café plays an important role in Forgewood Housing Cooperatives work to address loneliness and social isolation within Forgewood and surrounding areas.
“Forgewood Housing Cooperative would like to congratulate the All Star Café on winning this award. Since opening in autumn 2019 the café has been a wonderful addition to the community centre, providing tasty food at affordable prices.”
The cafe has remained closed since lockdown but it is hoped that it will open its doors again very soon.
