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A slice of the action

A slice of the action

Beresford Street Kitchen employs adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. CEO, Gabby Ellmers, tells us all about it.

Beresford Street Kitchen employs adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. CEO, Gabby Ellmers, tells us all about it.

This is a feature from Issue 11 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.

What is Beresford Street Kitchen?

BSK is a social enterprise in Jersey that provides education, training, and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities and/or autism. We want an inclusive workforce, where everyone can maximize their potential, get recognised for their skills and be regarded positively and with respect. We opened our flagship 80-seat café in St Helier in August 2017 with a crew of 16 people with learning disabilities and/or autism, and immediately had a waiting list. We opened a Catering Workshop above the cafe that October and in April 2018 a Print Workshop, where we produce branded garments, mugs, merchandise, and uniforms. In December 2018 we took on a contract to run the canteen at Jersey Police HQ and we do catering for corporate and charity events, weddings and christenings – we even did a reception for Princess Anne! These events allow crew to demonstrate their skills to a wider audience. We currently have 50 crew.

Where did the idea come from?

Only 5.1% of adults with a learning disability known to their local authority in England are in paid work. BSK was established in 2015 by a group of founding directors, all of whom shared a vision of creating a real working environment where people with learning disabilities and/or autism could train and work.

How do you train your crew?

When crew start at BSK they go on a 12-week Discover Programme, trying the BSK café, the Catering Workshop and the Print Workshop on a four-week rotation. They also attend a class each week to develop life skills. After this, they work with the training team to decide which area they are best suited to and start their next placement. Crew work alongside Training Mentors, who teach them things like barista skills, using tills, food safety and printing techniques.

What is your impact on crew members?

After becoming a BSK crew member, 79% feel more valued, 82% have more friends, 50% have joined new social and sports clubs, and 100% think their job makes other people happy and feel supported and listened to by BSK staff. Overall, crew report a 21% increase in life satisfaction, and an average score higher than that of a non-disabled islander in Jersey. Everyone’s experience is as unique as they are. Crew member Sam Cross told us how he loves meeting new people, his maths has improved, and he enjoys earning money so he can go out with his friends. Cassie’s mum, Rosemary, told us she saw an instant improvement in her daughter’s self-confidence. The job helped Cassie to see that mistakes are a part of learning – not failing – and gave her a sense of purpose and belonging.

What is customer feedback like?

Really positive. Many started to use our services because of the social value in their spending, but they come back because of the quality and customer service. We won the Sure Customer Service Awards in the Food & Drink category for two years running!

What's the biggest challenge?

Helping crew to move on to open employment. There are still many barriers in society and in access to work for people with learning disabilities and/or autism. Last year, two crew members with four years’ training started applying for jobs when the hospitality industry was on its knees, with over 250 vacancies to fill, but they got very little response and felt dejected. One removed BSK from their CV and instantly got interviews. We need the community to stand with them so we can create a more inclusive workforce.

Did Covid-19 affect business?

We transformed our business model within 48 hours and provided thousands of homemade meals to islanders, both paying customers and those in need through a pay-it-forward scheme. In June 2020 we opened La Hougue Bie Tea Rooms. It’s designed to be a springboard where the crew who are closest to open employment can work with more responsibility and independence. Despite the lack of tourists when we opened, the locals turned out in force to support us.

What is BSK's biggest achievement so far?

Creating and launching our bespoke Learning for Life adult education programme during the pandemic. We co-produced it over nine months with a small group of crew, three of whom left for open employment after. We opened classrooms in September 2021 and so far we have a 100% retention rate for learners. The crew make me proud every day with their skills development and growth in confidence and independence. When someone gets a job outside BSK it’s a great feeling.

What's next?

We aim to work closely with other agencies and potential onward employers to provide external work placements and support crew transitioning into employment. We will also strive to increase community awareness, provide immersive training and to continue to break down barriers. We will open a new home for the BSK Academy, with real life learning labs, and a community hub and charity space. People with learning disabilities and/or autism are individuals and have a whole range of skills and abilities. They are an untapped workforce, brimming with potential, which can help businesses thrive. I would encourage any potential employers to reach out to someone like BSK if they have questions. But to be brave – give someone a chance!

They can work it out

BSK has 50 crew with learning disabilities and/or autism in 11,500 workplace training or employment sessions a year- that’s over 40,000 hours of empowerment. Donate to help train more.

 beresfordstreetkitchen.je

 charitable.travel/beresford-street-kitchen/

This is a feature from Issue 11 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.