Green Port Beverley CatZero Cafe

RUNNING a successful café for the day offered valuable experience to participants of a unique programme, which is set to transform their lives.

Members of the Green Port Beverley CatZero programme were nearing completion of their 12-weeks and, as their coaching came to its formal end, they had the opportunity to put their new organisational and business skills into practice.

Professionals from across East Yorkshire were invited to their 'pop-up café day' during which the eight-strong team worked to a budget, created a theme, purchased goods and prepared everything from scratch - before serving their guests.

North Humber Programme Leader, Pete Tighe, said: "The event is a high-pressured day for the participants as they are on show, and so is all of their work.

"Some may have anxiety issues and to wait on a table is a big thing. The confidence and sense of achievement participants get from this day is amazing. The group all wear their suits and it is a great opportunity for guests to hear their stories about the programme and their distance travelled," he added.

In the run up to Café Day, as well as having team building sessions, the participants successfully work through individual programmes - with many obtaining qualifications and preparation for the world of work, including CV writing and interview skills. All were selected for the course as they were long-term unemployed - even before the programme's end, three participants had secured fulltime work.

CatZero is famous for its use of sailing to embrace all that is learned on the programmes - short sails take place mid-way through, with the opportunity of a 'long' sail at the end. This puts all the team work into play and gives participants the confidence and springboard they need to work towards a new life, says Pete.

"This is never the end of their time with CatZero either, we remain with them offering longer term support and assistance as they build new futures for themselves," he adds.

Guests at the Beverley Café Day, held at St Nicholas Church Community Centre, included representatives from Jobcentre Plus, the Town Council, business representatives and CatZero supporters.

CatZero offers programmes for the long-term unemployed, young people and families across both banks of the Humber. Now in its tenth year, the charity is unique in its ability to combine academic and vocational experience to give participants a new future - it is one of the most successful charities of its kind.