Cafe and training centre set for closure
‘UNIQUE’ PLACE IN FUNDING CRISIS
A CAFE which trains disabled people for the world of work faces ‘imminent’ closure after a bid to secure funding failed.
The future of Waverley Cafe was thrown into doubt after an application to obtain additional funding from the Big Lottery was rejected, Kirklees Mencap, which owns the cafe, said.
A grant from the Big Lottery in 2013 helped keep the cafe open until last year.
Kirklees Mencap says it has found other funding sources to keep the cafe, which is open to the public as well as Mencap users, running until March.
But the charity fears the cafe, on Waverley Road, off New North Road, will have to close unless it can secure sustainable funding.
As well as serving homemade, homegrown food, the cafe trains people with learning difficulties to prepare them for paid employment in the mainstream work sector.
Those who complete a sixmonth course at the cafe come out with a formal ASDAN – Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network – qualification.
A spokesperson for Kirklees Mencap said: “Waverley Cafe is a unique place.
“We are a community cafe, serving our local community and associated Mencap services in the HD1 area.
“The cafe supports adults with a learning disability with employability skills, life skills and means our trainees receive hands-on real life experience in a working environment.
“Our trainees are helped to live independently and gain skills useful for employers and the volunteer sector.
“We face imminent closure due to lack of funding.
“We need your support. We need to ensure we continue to deliver our amazing service.”
How can people help keep the cafe open?
Donate on the cafe’s GoFundMe page.
Hire the Waverley Cafe catering team.
The cafe is now doing external catering for businesses and individuals within the HD1 postcode.
For more details call: 01484 313156 or visit Kirklees Mencap’s website.
Eat there!
Waverley Cafe serves homemade food, made with homegrown ingredients, from Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm.