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Inside a cafe.

Café Autisan

The National Autistic Society's Café Autisan provides an environment for autistic adults to expand their skills and build self-esteem and confidence. Developed as part of a wider enterprise initiative the café allows each person we support to achieve practical workplace experience. Located in the beautiful North Range building of the Grade 1 listed landmark, Whalley Abbey in Lancashire, Café Autisan is no ordinary cafe...

What we do

We support and encourage people through a three stage process at Cafe Autisan.  We are able to offer paid for support to develop skills in the catering and hospitality sector including the opportunity to work vocationally towards an ASDAN, and when someone is ready to reduce paid for support they can apply to be a volunteer.  We support people to apply for jobs in the local labour market which could include jobs available at Cafe Autisan. 

The Cafe seeks to create volunteering opportunities as a means to prepare for paid for employment and we aspire to keep these vacancies open ongoing.  We run work preparation courses which include CV writing, mock interviews and role play.  Gaining essential interview experience and developing a skill base, everyone we work with will learn transferable skills that will help contribute to brighter employment prospects. 

Making a valuable contribution to the local community is key.  We are able to offer private hire for events or parties, and offer a daily varied food menu and a selection of hot and cold drinks seven days a week.  To keep up to date with our offer please find us on Facebook.  Any proceeds generated are reinvested into the service to ensure financial sustainability.  

It feels good to be involved in the working world and to be part of such a positive team. This has helped me to make friends and increase my independence.
Martin, an autistic adult volunteering at the café.
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Our team

Every member of staff has the knowledge and additional training required to support autistic adults.  We use individual evidence based, outcome focused assessments to make sure our support is designed to enable people to live the life they choose.  Read more about how we support people in our services and the frameworks we use here.  All NAS services adopt the SPELL framework where staff follow five principals to implement best practice support; Structure, Postive (approaches and expectations), Empathy, Low arousal, Links.  NAS staff are offered extensive in house training to ensure we provide specialist autism support.   Our staff team also work across our Centre and community outreach service.   

How to access our enterprise activities

We are always looking to create new, innovative opportunities to support more people on the autism spectrum and help them to be part of their local community. Through our enterprise projects we aim to give people on the autism spectrum valuable experience in practical and meaningful work, taking into account a range of support needs.

We create a tailored package of support and build a support plan around goals and ambitions, and through our enterprise projects individuals can achieve a variety of outcomes.

Where and when to find us:

It is always advisable to call ahead on planning your visit to make sure you are not dissapointed.  

Café Autisan, Whalley Abbey, The Sands, Whalley, BB7 9SS.  Telephone: 01254 828937

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