Purchase and conversion of a van into a mobile coffee shop for students with severe learning disabilities

A project by The Butterfly Community Cafe C.I.C

Our enterprise needs to buy and convert a second hand high-top van so that we can start up our coffee business. When we have this, we will visit special needs schools on set days to train young people with severe/specific learning disabilities with work-life skills that they can use to form part of the work experience portfolio they will need to either access supported internships or to help them get employment directly after leaving school.

Young people with severe learning disabilities need a lot longer to learn tasks and this incentive will teach them with patience and according to their individual needs. We will work closely with the schools and parents to provide an appropriate work programme for each student. We will also liaise with local businesses and internships to make sure we are teaching in line with what they need future candidates to have experience in.

The pupils will gain certification for each skill they learn so that they have evidence for prospective employers.

We have budgeted £15,000 to buy a second hand van and will need around £10,000 to convert the van into our coffee shop. So far, we have raised £11,000 so have a way to go.

Once the pupils are trained, we are hoping to be able to drive to different locations to be able to sell our drinks and snacks and to showcase how amazing our students are to their local community and prospective employers!

What your gift could provide

£10

Hub cap!

£50

Steering wheel!

£100

Wing mirrors!