Charity to help 21 people with learning disabilities land hospitality jobs

Northern Ireland registered charity and social enterprise, Orchardville, is seeking 21 full-time and part-time hospitality workers for its new cafés at two Belfast leisure centres.

The cafés at Andersonstown and Lisnasharragh leisure centres will provide training opportunities for people with learning disability and autism to learn skills that will enhance their employment prospects.

Orchardville won the contacts in September 2021 following a tender exercise conducted by GLL, who operate 14 leisure centres under the ‘Better’ brand.

Speaking about the contract wins and new roles, Joan McGinn, chief executive at Orchardville, said: “Orchardville is delighted to be once again working in close partnership with GLL to operate the cafés at Andersonstown and Lisnasharragh leisure centre.

“We believe that with the right support, any individual with a learning disability or autism can reach their full potential and achieve their employment aspirations. The cafés will provide meaningful work experience opportunities to people with learning disability and/or autism who wish to pursue employment in the catering, hospitality and tourism sector.”

‘Supporting local people’

The partnership follows on from the contract it won for GLL’s north Belfast wellbeing centre, The Grove, in 2019 when it employed 11 people.

Discussing the plans for the Orchardville cafés Adrian Walker, Partnership Manager, GLL, the not-for-profit charitable social enterprise, said: “We have been very pleased with the success that Orchardville has made of running the café at The Grove Wellbeing Centre and are delighted they have once again been successful in our tendering process for the two new sites.

Including another vibrant social enterprise in our supply chain is at the very heart of what we stand for.  As an inclusive organisation, we are looking forward to supporting more local people with meaningful employment in our centres.”

Orchardville will begin its recruitment process for the Andersonstown Centre complex first, with workers due to go onsite from November 2021. Meanwhile those selected to work at its Lisnasharragh site will take up their positions in January 2022.

To find out more about the job vacancies at Orchard Café @ Andersonstown and Orchard Café @ Lisnasharragh please click https://www.orchardville.com/careers/

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