Home / 2011 / November / Enterprising Cafés offer employment to people with mental health difficulties

Enterprising Cafés offer employment to people with mental health difficulties

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Sussex Oakleaf
PRESS RELEASE
Official Launch:
Meadowfield, Worthing, 8th Nov, 2pm
Langley Green, Crawley, 10th Nov, 2pm

Two hospital cafés serving inpatients and visitors in West Sussex have been transformed into social enterprises where people recovering from mental illness can find paid employment and retraining opportunities.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which runs psychiatric hospitals in East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove, has awarded a catering contract to Sussex Oakleaf, a social enterprise which specialises in helping people survive and recover from mental health difficulties, substance misuse and homelessness.
The hospital cafés are at two of Sussex Partnership’s most modern inpatient units: architectural award winning Langley Green Hospital in Crawley and Meadowfield Hospital in Worthing.
While offering people a tasty, nutritious choice of sustainably sourced food, the cafés will be used to help people using services train and find employment in the catering and hospitality industry.
The catering agreement with Sussex Oakleaf, who have a well-established reputation for helping people who have been out of work for long periods, means that several part time paid employment posts and work experience opportunities are created for people using services.
The cafés intend to expand their facilities by offering internet and computing facilities and space for artwork created by self-employed artists. Information on positive food and mood and healthy eating will also be available to customers.
Wendy Walker, Professional Lead Occupational Therapist at Sussex Partnership, said, ‘The availability of friendly, welcoming social environments is highly significant in supporting a person in their recovery from mental illness. Cafés are great settings for relationship building and exchanging knowledge and that’s why offering employment and training opportunities is such a good opportunity.
‘We are confident that the cafés under Sussex Oakleaf’s management will become vital community hubs for people using services, their families as well as for staff. This is an excellent example of Sussex Partnership working closely with the third sector.’
Robert Jones, Sussex Oakleaf Chief Executive, said, ‘We’re very excited about this - throughout the organisation. Working in partnership with other organisations and developing employment opportunities with service users are fundamental to the way that Sussex Oakleaf works in communities.
‘We can build on our existing experience of social enterprise and of involving clients in operating cafes in community settings. This is also a terrific opportunity to offer wholesome, locally sourced food in an environmentally sound and sustainable way.’
Cafe staff will also consult with customers about the further products as the cafes develop – already on the cards are specialty sandwiches and a Tuesday afternoon cream tea in Worthing.
Notes for Editors: Sussex Oakleaf is a social enterprise (an Industrial & Provident Society with Charitable status #27984R) that delivers services across Sussex to people who have mental health and/or substance misuse needs, young people and people at risk of homelessness.
Sussex Oakleaf first began providing services in 1995 and, since then, has developed the provision of a wide range of community and housing related services and training to others. The organisation empowers people and promotes independence by providing recovery-focused supported housing, community wellbeing services, social inclusion, independent living, residential care, care brokerage, peer support, personal assistants, learning and development, information, advice and guidance. We work in partnership with people to provide personalised services.
Sussex Oakleaf has been an Investor in People for more than 10 years. This year we were recognised as a Sunday Times Top 100 Employer in the Public/Third Sector and awarded 1 star accreditation from Best Companies.
Further information:
Robert Jones, Chief Executive, Sussex Oakleaf
+44(0)1444 459517