Coffee with the Superstars

You will be getting the chance to help young people and adults with learning disabilities gain invaluable working experience and huge confidence. And the menu is very tasty too!

The Coffee Dock is the latest innovative project by volunteers of the Superstars Club - set up in 2005 to provide much needed social activities for young people and adults.

The not-for-profit cafe, open from 10.00am to 3.00pm Thursday to Saturday, provides training and supported work placements for people with learning difficulties in the Cookstown area.

Its aim is to boost the confidence nd skills of its trainees - and improve the quality and quantity of provision of opportunities in the workplace.

“Our philosophy is to enable trainees to become more independent based on a person-centred approach and according to the their ability and needs,” says May McEvoy, Superstars Club Chair.

“An important element in this effort is the development of new skills and competencies which will equip the trainees for a better of quality of life.

“Our barista serves freshly ground Fairtrade coffees as well as other hot and cold beverages.

“Our scones, tray bakes, muffins and cakes are freshly made with the maximum possible participation by trainees and can be enjoyed whilst availing of our free WiFi facility, and daily newspapers are also provided.”

May added: “This is an ambitious venture which requires a lot of commitment from those involved and we hope that it will eventually become self sustaining. In order to achieve this we are appealing to the community to come along to the Coffee Dock and support us.”

Deirdre Eastwood, whose daughter Jessica works in the cafe, says the new skills and confidence her daughter has gained since working at the Coffee Dock has been immense.

“This is a really wonderful opportunity for our young people to learn in a real situation where they meet people from their community and can show their capabilities.”