Vocational Projects – Cafe and Communities

Surrey Choices’ Cafe and Community Projects provide a platform for individuals to engage with their community while honing valuable skills in a vibrant and inclusive environment.  

The cafe projects undertake supported volunteering in local community Cafes across the Staines and the North Surrey Area. People are supported to learn new skills such as: 

• Customer service skills 
• How to use a till 
• How to make hot drinks and food safely 
• Stock control 
• Food hygiene courses  

They are trained in a real-world environment and supported by our staff within community cafes.  

Dave, who is supported by our Vocational Projects service was delighted to achieve his food hygiene certificate. He said,  

“I have a certificate in food hygiene now and I am more confident since going to the cafe” 

Another one of the cafe and partnerships we have is the Tea Boat Project in Staines.  

Mark one of the Trustees at the Tea Boat Project said that this partnership was exactly what the founder, Ari, set the project up for

 “The founder, Ari set this project up for exactly this type of partnership. We are now a registered charity and Ari’s vision was to restore and conserve this part of the Thames and engage all parts of the community to come and volunteer.  

We provide a safe environment for the Surrey Choices group to learn great skills in a real-life environment. It has been terrific and something we hope to build upon.” 

Not only has the Tea Boat Project allowed people to work on their skills but it has helped with their mental health and wellbeing. While they work on the site their social skills improve as they are meeting members of the community and provide a useful service for passersby.  

If you would like to learn more about our Vocational Projects and the opportunities that are available to you, contact us on info@surreychoices.com to find out more.