Cafe helping autistic students to thrive reopens

Jacob Atkinson said he had become more confident since working at the shop

A coffee shop in Mountsorrel is providing autistic students with valuable work experience designed to help them build confidence and employment skills.

Breward's Coffee Shop is one of the enterprises at Homefield College, a specialist centre that offers education, training and independent living for people with learning disabilities.

When working at the cafe, in The Green, students take on responsibilities, including serving drinks, meeting and greeting customers, using the till and handling money, and taking a stock check.

The shop recently reopened after undergoing a major refurbishment, with more space for visitors.

The work at the shop helps the students gain confidence in areas including communication skills, maths, and functional IT, the college said.

Student Jacob Atkinson, 21, said working at the shop had helped him become a lot more confident with people in addition to getting work experience.

Sadie, 17, has been working at the coffee shop for a year and said she had been enjoying the experience.

She said it had helped her "communicate with my peers and be more confident".

She also added that her favourite thing about working there was "taking the customer's order".

Sadie has enjoyed a year working at the shop

Chris Tullin, vice-principal at Homefield College, said: "We're immensely proud of all students that come to the college, particularly the ones who work here at Breward's."

He said the students played a "real part" in the revamp of the shop, which now included bigger serving areas, more space in the kitchen and more seating for visitors.

Chris Tullin, vice-principal at Homefield College, said he was proud of the students' work