Press Release
National disability charity opens second café in York
The national disability charity United Response has opened its second café in York today (21st July).
Funded by City of York Council , ‘A Break in the Park’ in West Bank Park, Acomb will provide training and work experience opportunities for people with learning disabilities in the York area, as well as serving a range of tasty cakes, coffees and snacks.
‘A Break in the Park’ is UR’s second café in York. The charity opened its first café nine years ago. Based in York’s city centre, ‘Krumbs’ has become a popular lunchtime spot with local office workers.
Many ‘Krumbs’ students have gained nationally recognised qualifications while training at the café and have gone on to use their skills and experience to get jobs elsewhere.
Margaret Lee the café’s catering and marketing manager said:
“Many people with learning disabilities want to work. Through ‘Krumbs’ and now ‘A Break in the Park’, UR is creating opportunities for people in York to develop the skills they need to move on and get the job they want.
“Having a job can make a real difference to a person’s life. It can help someone become more independent, as well as building confidence and creating opportunities for people to develop new friendships.
“We are really excited about the new café. West Bank Park is a great community area and we hope that ‘A Break in the Park’ will make it an even better place to spend a few relaxing hours.”
Councillor Sue Sunderland from City of York Council and ‘Krumbs’ student, Shane Overall, officially opened the café.
Anne Bygrave Head of Learning Disabilities at City of York Council, said:
“The opening of this café represents the continued improvement of support for people with learning disabilities in the local area, and we are delighted to work with provider partners to achieve these aims. I wish the new scheme every success.”
Since coming to ‘Krumbs’ Shane has achieved a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in hospitality and catering. And he has also successfully secured a part-time placement in another café in town.
Shane will now be combining his placement with training at ‘A Break in the Park’, where he is looking forward to picking up some more skills.
Shane said:
“I really like the new café.
“It’s going to be quite different to working at Krumbs.
“The café is going to be self- service. But I still need to make sure all the tables are clean and the customers are OK.
“We’re going to be serving food at the new café. But we’ll also be making some fancy coffees and I’m looking forward to learning how to do that.”
‘A Break in the Park’ will be serving a wide range of hot and cold snacks and drinks from 11am to 5.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday. The café will also be offering outside catering for parties and other functions. For further information on ‘A Break in the Park’ or ‘Krumbs’ please contact Margaret Lee on (01904) 672572.
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For more information please contact Sarah Bartlett or Jaime Gill in the United Response Press Office on020 8246 5237/ 020 8246 5122 or emailsarah.bartlett@unitedresponse.org.uk or jaime.gill@unitedresponse.org.uk
Notes to editors:
- United Response is a national charity working with people with learning disabilities or mental health needs. It works throughout the York area, supporting people with learning disabilities to live the lives they choose. UR provides everything from 24-hour care to helping someone living in his or her own flat to get a job.
- ‘A Break in the Park’ café has been set up by United Response to provide catering and retail training opportunities for people with learning disabilities. The café is funded by York City Council
- United Response set up its first café in York, ‘Krumbs’ nine years ago.
Find out more about A Break in the Park
