Students from St Bernadette's School and Loreto Secondary School in Letterkenny, Co Donegal have utilised a inclusion project supported by the National Council for Special Education to set-up a café that is open five days a week and five hours a day to the public.
Students have assumed responsibilities for the running of Caifé le Chéile after they set-up the business in St Bernadette’s School.
Teacher Margaret Greene said the initiative is about inclusion, community and giving students meaningful skills that they can carry forward.
"Students are gaining experience they wouldn’t normally receive; we’re completing barista training and HACCP certification. We’re working on functional literacy and numeracy skills," she said.
Ms Green said some students find it difficult to find summer employment and she hopes the new skills will help address that challenge.
"This is a fully functioning café. Our students need support and to be given a chance. They are paid tips just like they would if they were working in the community.
"We had two students who struggled to make eye contact and now they’re chatting with customers and getting to know the locals by name," Ms Greene said.
"Something very special is happening and we’re so proud of it."
Nicola Haran said they had a vision of setting up a place for students where they could develop self-confidence and skills for future employability.
"They may not necessarily get these opportunities in other places. We are giving them responsibilities. We know their potential. It’s really about well-being," she said.
The venture is part of the Towards Inclusion programme and the Transition pilot project run by the National Council for Special Education.
Towards Inclusion brings together a special school and a mainstream school, and the Transition project helps students with their passage from school.
St Bernadette’s Special School is partnering with Loreto Secondary School on both projects.
Students described their enjoyment of baking, brewing coffee, running the till, hospitality and teamwork.
One student said he was hesitant at first but "grew to love it".
Residents have given it their backing. Clare Duffy from Letterkenny noted how it is benefiting both students and the community.
"There’s nothing better than a coffee shop to get people to mix and it gives the pupils a great sense of responsibility. It’s a great initiative," she said.
