People living with learning disabilities can enjoy an evening of music, good company and delicious, nutritious food at the SWALLOW Community Café on Thursday, 18th October, thanks to a grant from the B&NES Community Wellness Fund.

Earlier this year, SWALLOW received a grant for £1,000 to offer two Bistro Supper Clubs to their members to help them meet up and enjoy new experiences.

The first Bistro Supper Club for SWALLOW members, accompanied by their families and support staff, took place in May this year at the SWALLOW Community Café in Radstock.

The grant was made available by the Bath & North East Somerset Community Wellness Fund. This fund is provided by Virgin Care, who have been chosen by the Council and the NHS CCG in Bath & North East Somerset to oversee and join up community health and care services in the area over the next few years.

Virgin Care have commissioned Quartet Community Foundation to manage this grant programme. The grant programme provides opportunities to local community groups and charities like SWALLOW to improve the health and wellbeing of local people though selected initiatives.

Nicky Tew, speaking on behalf of SWALLOW, said: “The Supper Clubs offer several benefits – they offer a social event to help reduce the loneliness and social isolation, and they give the opportunity for our members to have fun and make music together, which they then to perform to family and friends.

“Also, our Work Skills Café Team are busy in the kitchen using the skills they’ve learned through our work skills sessions, all while getting paid for their efforts, which helps increase confidence in their abilities.”

The café is staffed by SWALLOW members who learn important catering skills, both in the kitchen and front of house. The aim of this café is to support local people with learning disabilities, to allow them to gain useful work skills and experience while participating in meaningful work that benefits the local community.

At the Bistro night in May, the evening’s food was produced by two SWALLOW members, Callum and Josh, accompanied by kitchen support worker Angela, using ingredients grown on SWALLOW’s own allotments. Josh now uses his catering skills in a paid role making a delicious houmous for a local company.

Ryan took part in the workshop but also helped in the kitchen beforehand, making a selection of quiches for the meal. As a wheelchair user, it was a rare opportunity for him to get involved in the cooking. He was delighted that his Dad and partner could come to the performance and supper.

SWALLOW member Sarah said: “I think this is great, it could definitely be done again, I think more people should come (to the Bistro Supper Club). I’ve been coming here about ten years, and been involved with the café about two years.”

Sarah’s friend, Emily, said: “I’ve been coming (to the SWALLOW Community Café) for about four years, I love meeting new people and I love music, I have loved the music since I was little.”

Maggie Blake, Café Manager, said: “All the trainees work extremely hard. They are involved in every aspect of the business, which includes such tasks as choosing menus, writing shopping lists, shopping, checking and storing orders, taking phone orders, cooking, serving and cleaning.

“They learn about team work, health and hygiene, infection control, and first aid. They are also involved in all decision-making and are constantly coming up with new ideas of how we can improve the café.

“We witness how quickly our members gain confidence and skills, after a short period of time working in the café. There is always great enthusiasm for doing ‘pop up Cafes’ and they rise to the extra challenges that these opportunities provide. Receiving pay provides a sense of worth and pride.”

SWALLOW is a member-led local charity supporting teenagers and adults with learning disabilities. They provide a wide range of services to enable members to lead independent and fulfilled lives which include: independent living, skills training, one-to-one outreach support, supporting housing opportunities, sports and social activities. All their services are requested by their members and they work hard to fulfil their wishes wherever possible.