Plymouth school on a mission to open new Whitleigh coffee shop

A Plymouth school wants to open its very own coffee shop to help empower their students with disabilities. Woodlands School has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £25,000 towards their 'full of beans” coffee shop.

The Whitleigh school, which supports children with complex physical and sensory disabilities in Plymouth and the local area, says the shop would be open to the local community and ran by students.

The innovative initiative aims to equip students with practical skills, promote independence, and foster community engagement. The project is part of the school’s commitment to providing real-world learning experiences for its 88 pupils, aged 2 to 19, who face a variety of medical and sensory challenges.

“There's a gap between the nurturing school environment where students learn essential skills and the broader community where they must apply them,” says Philip Hanrahan, deputy head and project leader.

“This space would allow our students to use and generalise their skills in a real-world setting by interacting with the wider community, friends, and families.”

Woodlands School has already raised £10,000 through sponsored events, including the city’s Half Marathon and Schools Challenge, but to bring this transformative project to life, additional funds are needed. The school is now turning to the community and seeking support through crowdfunding, with match funding provided by the Aviva Community Fund.

The 'full of beans' shop, which would be built on the school grounds, will serve as a practical learning environment where students will gain hands-on experience in customer service, food preparation, and money handling.

The café will offer a crucial stepping-stone, preparing students for future employment, particularly in the hospitality sector, while also nurturing vital life skills like teamwork, independence, and financial literacy.

Woodlands School head teacher, Andrea Hemmens, said: “This café will be a fantastic opportunity for our students to practice team work, financial literacy and improve their communication skills, as well as creating an excellent brew. These experiences will not only enhance their skills sets but also prepare them for real-world challenges.

“We want our young people to aspire to future employment opportunities; our ethos encapsulates empowerment, and this café will offer every student, irrespective of their abilities, the chance to participate and be involved.”

Not only will the coffee shop benefit the students and their families, but it will also serve the wider community. The project will provide opportunities for local businesses and organisations to collaborate with the school, promoting sustainability by using local suppliers and teaching students where their food comes from. The café will be built using eco-friendly materials, reflecting Woodlands School’s commitment to sustainability.

How You Can Help

The Aviva Community Fund will match each donation up to £250, up to a total of £50,000 in match funding, doubling the impact of each contribution.

Funds raised will go towards purchasing equipment, training students, and building a sustainable café structure. Woodlands School invites the public to help make this project a reality and ensure students with disabilities have the tools they need to build a brighter, more independent future.

Ms Hemmens added: “We invite our community to contribute to our crowdfunding campaign to help make this café a reality by summer 2025.

"We look forward to welcoming our many supporters to join us for a celebratory drink, slice of cake or an ice cream, all served by our incredible students. We can’t wait to meet and serve you when we are open!”

To donate and learn more about the project, visit https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/woodlands-coffee-shop-project.

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