The welcome is always warm at the Working Together cafe

9:44am Friday 29th August 2008

By Anne Glover

CUSTOMERS at the Working Together cafe in Fish Street, Ludlow, know they are going to be greeted with not only a warm welcome, but all the sincerity in the world, when they walk in the door.

The cafe is run by the Working Together Charity and is manned by volunteers and people with learning disabilities.

On Monday mornings Wendy Pilsbury and Daniel Adcock do a shift at the cafe, and are always very hospitable, serving at the tables with such a cheerful disposition that they never fail to bring a smile to customers’ faces.

The cafe is more than a cosy, comfortable place to enjoy a home-made meal; it is also a sheltered working and social environment for those with learning disabilities who work there.

The cafe gives them the opportunity to learn working skills and, most importantly, interact with other people in a typical day-to-day situation. Just aside from the cafe there is a craft room and drop-in centre.

Working Together has 38 members with learning disabilities aged between 15 and 65 years, 60 carer/parent members and 92 volunteers. The organisation was formed so that it is central in the lives of people with learning disabilities working for their best interests.

Developing skills and exercising talents helps these people develop says co-ordinator, Richard Geuter.

“In Ludlow there is only the day centre or Oak Farm for people with learning disabilities to go to and the prospect is things aren’t going to get an awful lot better.

“The cafe was a way to allow them to work in a creative, stimulating and social environment and at the same time create a place where all are valued, appreciated and included,” he said.

Working Together say there are few choices of college, training and work activities and very few out-of-hours social opportunities, or activities. Respite is rarely of if ever available.

Richard himself has two grown up children with learning difficulties: “We wanted our children to lead a happy and fulfilling life which we believe occurs as a result of having a good home, satisfying work and regular social contact – a real sense of being needed, contributing and belonging to the community,” he said.

“We looked at what was available and decided there were gaps to fill,” he said.

The cafe is an enterprise with an educational programme that isn’t only for people with learning disabilities but is also a reminder to the more able that the simplicity of life and an open smile can raise spirits.