Exciting new café venture with a difference to open in South Shields

Sea Change

noun

1. a profound or notable transformation.

We are delighted to announce that we are in partnership to support a new social enterprise café in South Shields which will provide sustainable employment to transform the lives of those with Autism and Learning Disabilities.

Located on Ocean Road, SeaChange will be a café and community venue with a difference; offering top quality food locally sourced, real-world employment and training opportunities, and a wide variety of social activities including:

• Autism Friendly Social Events

• Live Music Events

• Film screenings

• Supper Clubs

• Private Functions

• Baby Socials

• Food and Wine Tasting Evenings

• Art and Craft Exhibitions

  The café, which launches on Thursday 4 April (during World Autism Awareness Week),  will provide individuals with real-life work experience and employment opportunities where they can learn and develop work and life skills in a safe and supportive environment.

AutismAble Director, Sarah Farrell:

“This is really great project to be involved in. Since September 2017, we’ve trialed a weekly cafe at our community base at the Custom Space in South Shields. Our learners prepare their own menu and prepare and serve food to the public every Friday morning.

They’ve also developed skills such as food preparation, storage, cooking, teamwork, customer awareness, time management, numeracy, stock taking and the ability to work to deadlines. Opening a café is the next logical step, and we already have a large waiting list of learners and volunteers wanting to get involved. The community and local businesses are already on board and we’re confident that, with what we have planned, that Sea Change will provide a unique space and experience in South Shields.”

Chair of AutismAble, Phil Grice:

“AutismAble is now recognised within and beyond South Tyneside as a high quality provider of Autistic specialist support. I know that this venture will be a success, developing and establishing a high quality team of staff. We’ll be improving and enhancing our existing premises and exploring possibilities for additional accommodation to meet the demands for us to take additional students.”

SeaChange is located at 158 Ocean Road, South Shields, NE33 2JF.

For more information, visit the SeaChange website at www.sea-change.co or contact Sarah Farrell on 0191 4560894 or 07508312735 .