An exciting social enterprise is brewing

11 November 2021

11 Nov 2021

Social enterprise cafe open for business

VMCH is excited to unveil an innovative new café, supporting people with disability to grow their job skills and independence.

Located in Wangaratta, Where Is My Coffee is a social enterprise aimed to help people build skills and experience in a real-life working environment, on their pathway to finding paid employment.

Ten trainees will be supported by hospitality and disability support workers, serving Wangaratta locals and visitors with delicious food and great coffee.

Recent figures show working-age people with disability are twice as likely as those without disability to be unemployed. Insufficient work experience is one of the most common reasons people with disability have difficulty finding work (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020).

Harley Dalgleish, Manager Community Connections, Disability Services, says the café will be a safe and supportive “learning hub’” for participants to build their confidence with practical skills like customer service, food handling and coffee making.

“The café has been around for a while under different ownership so we’re hoping regulars will continue to visit and new customers will come and enjoy the fantastic food, coffee and service we’ll have on offer,” he said.

A Wangaratta local himself, Harley has witnessed the impact lockdowns have had on the town and is excited to be part of helping to boost the local economy with this new venture.

Non-profit aged and disability organisation VMCH is already part of the Wangaratta community, offering a variety of learning options and life skills programs for people with disability of all ages.

The café will host an official launch event on International Day of People with Disability, Friday 3 December, and open to customers on Saturday 4 December.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.