Otley café is helping to create work opportunities for young people

A café and pottery studio in Leeds has joined forces with a community special school to offer students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) work experience and life skills training.

- by Jennifer Cartwright

Michelle Jones, Harrison, Vicky Paver, Mikayla, Sally Hindmarch, and Danielle and Caroline Appleby. Photos: Jonathan Gawthorpe

(Jonathan Gawthorpe)

The Beyond 19 programme, co-run by House of Pottery in Otley and Green Meadows Academy in Guiseley, sees students aged 16-19 take on responsibilities in the café including serving customers, managing money, and making hot drinks.

The idea began as Green Meadows Academy staff considered how they could best help their pupils to develop skills to help them in life after college.

Vicky Paver, associate principal at Green Meadows Academy, said: "We revisited our why and our how, and in our vision there's a huge focus in supporting our young people.