22,719 people in Melbourne diagnosed Autistic
Melbourne, Australia: A local Melbourne café is part of a life-changing new program for Autistic adults, helping them to gain important workplace and life skills, and improve self-esteem and overall wellbeing, essential considering approximately 70% of Autistic adults experience mental health challenges.
The ‘How to Hospo’ program, which started earlier this year, is run by Aspect’s Adult Community Services (ACS) centre in Hawthorn, in conjunction with Hawthorn café, Sonny Ray and Coffee Roasters, Single O. The program supports Autistic adults to develop hospitality skills including barista skills, customer service, hygiene practice, along with education around workplace health and safety.
The program, which relies heavily on community collaboration, has been so well-embraced it has grown, with additional participants wanting to develop their workplace skills.
Local participant, Matthew Hallinan from Bayside was diagnosed from a young age and has been part of the program from the outset.
“It’s been a dream of mine to work in a restaurant or a café since I can remember. I was very excited when Aspect created the How to Hospo program so I could learn how to make coffee as well as meeting people in the local community. What I’m doing in the café allows me to interact with staff and customers, which I really enjoy and look forward to.
“The owners, Norm and Suzy are so supportive and have even brought me into the café kitchen to learn from the chefs, which is a dream come true,” said Matthew.
In addition to workplace skills, the How to Hospo program provides Autistic adults with daily life skills in areas such as community engagement and social interactions, as well as helping to build independence.
Autistic adults involved in the program participate in weekly barista training at the Aspect ACS centre and visit Sonny Ray café for additional training and use of their facilities each fortnight.
Co-owners of Sonny Ray café, Norm and Suzy Zeidan, believe local communities should come together to support the work being done by centres such as ACS Hawthorn.
“We feel privileged to be part of an initiative that is making a real difference in the lives of Autistic adults,” said Suzy Zeidan. “There is immense power when professional support
services join forces with the community as it allows Autistic adults to put into practice skills they are developing, and feel a greater sense of purpose.
“We love having Matthew join us each fortnight and have seen the growth in his confidence and social skills, and on the flip side, Matthew has brought joy into our café, among staff and customers. And he makes a pretty good flat white,” added Zeidan.
Coffee Roaster, Single O has also got behind the How to Hospo program by donating a coffee machine and milk frother to ACS Hawthorn, along with a regular supply of coffee beans for the participants.
Christine Edwards, Regional Coordinator of Aspect ACS said the Hawthorn community is generous and immensely supportive of the participants and programs being implemented.
“We know our programs are essential in the lives of many Autistic adults, and when we couple this with community engagement, the impact on our participants is transformative. We are grateful to our community partners, in particular Sonny Ray and Single O, who help us provide a holistic experience for Autistic adults, highlighting their individual interests and purpose,” said Edwards.
The ‘How to Hospo’ program is one of many community activities coordinated by Aspect. Each program is specifically tailored to the participant’s strengths and interests in order to build capacity and support Autistic adults to reach their goals.
About Aspect
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is Australia’s largest autism-specific service provider, with one of the world’s biggest autism-specific schools programs. A not-for-profit organisation, we work in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum and their families to deliver distinct services, practices and research that recognise a different brilliant® - understanding, engaging and celebrating the strengths and interests of people on the autism spectrum.
For more information:
Karen Keech karen@establishedpr.com.au 0411 052 408
