A NEW café which opened in Cainscross on Friday will offer work experience and job opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

Run jointly by the Brandon Trust and Gloucestershire County Council, The Fresh Ground Café will provide vital work experience for clients, giving them a better opportunity to gain paid employment in the future.

The Brandon Trust is a charity which supports adults and children with learning disabilities and autism.

Offering hot and cold drinks, homemade sandwiches and cakes, the café in Westward Road will be open from 10am until 4pm Tuesday to Friday.

A hot homemade meal of the day will also be available.

Those taking part are excited about the experience.

Matt Owen, cafe assistant said: “This is a good opportunity for me to work towards gaining paid employment.”

Alan Probert, another cafe assistant, added: “I enjoy using the coffee machine. The cafe is a really good community resource.

“When I heard about the cafe I registered my interest straight away.”

Six people will initially benefit from work experience alongside two who will undergo work trials, hopefully resulting in two six month paid positions.

They will learn about food hygiene, cleaning, customer service and also receive specialist barista training.

David Drew, Stroud’s Labour parliamentary candidate, and district councillor Debbie Young (Con, Chalford) were among those who attended the café opening.

Kathy Williams, cabinet member for long term care at GCC, said: “We’re pleased to be working on this project which will provide disabled people with essential skills to gain meaningful employment.”