Inspiring Venues: Fairshot Cafe

One of the most inspiring businesses we've had the privilege of encountering lately is Fair Shot Cafe. Nestled near the Covent Garden tube station, this vibrant spot is much more than your ordinary coffee shop.

Their mission?

To create meaningful employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities, a largely untapped segment of our society with 95% facing unemployment in the UK.

The cafe is profoundly personal for one of our founders, Charles Smith , whose sister has Down Syndrome. Their work stands as a testament to the potential and promise of individuals with learning disabilities, demonstrating that with the right guidance and opportunities, they can thrive in the world of work.

But Fairshot Cafe provides more than just a job – it offers a platform for young adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to acquire life-changing skills and experiences.

Through their Hospitality Supported Internship programme, 15 interns per year get a fair shot at becoming work-ready for the hospitality industry. They are taught by mentors and job coaches to learn a broad range of transferable skills including effective communication, workplace health and safety, and time management.

The program's success is also undeniable, with 90% of learners becoming job-ready, and a stunning 100% of these graduates maintaining employment.

Fairshot Café is bringing new talent to the table, something hugely important in counteracting the current staffing crisis facing the UK hospitality industry. As a result, they have already found support from 15 employment partners who help place graduates into fulfilling jobs following the completion of the course.

But none of this is possible without the generosity of individuals and organizations.

You can be part of this inspiring cause in various ways:

· Making a donation - click here to do so.

· Stopping by for your morning coffee

· Taking on graduates as an employment partner - click here for more info

· Renting their boardroom for your next meeting - click here for more info

· Or even using their kitchen to cater for your next event - click here for more info

· Helping us spread the word about Fairshot Cafe's mission

Follow them on social media , share their story, and help raise awareness and funds for such a great cause. They are currently looking to raise the remaining ￡25,000 needed for this year's cohort of their hospitality programme.

So, why not join us in raising awareness and resources for a business that serves up a fair shot for everyone? The coffee at Fairshot Cafe is more than just delicious - every sip represents a bigger step towards inclusive and empowering employment.

Because learning disabilities should not be a barrier to finding work.