Paddock School students have created cards and delicious marmalade

Not only can Paddock School Café offer you wonderful home- made food, a warm welcome and the satisfaction of knowing you are helping young people with learning disabilities. It is now selling lovely Marmalade created by two of the students, Louis and Sahra who have worked very hard to bring you the best preserve in London.

A mere £3 per jar. Currently only available only in the café but next year, who knows, we may be in Fortnum and Masons!

In addition there are Mothers Day cards, designed by the students - all proceeds are reinvested in the cafe.

The café is set in the grounds of Paddock School on Priory Lane, and includes a secluded outside seating area for those brighter days ahead of us - it was opened in September 2013. Paddock School is a special school in Roehampton for students aged 11-19 with severe learning difficulties.

Anne Frier, the teacher in with responsibility for the cafe told me:
"The café has two aims; firstly to provide work experience for older students - something that is very difficult to do outside the protective environment of school. Our students are taught the many skills of working in a café: to carry a tray, work the till, clear tables, take orders to customers, wash up and make the food that is sold in the café."

The café is open twice a week in term times only on Wednesday mornings from 10 -12 for morning coffee and Thursdays from 10 -2 when you can also have lunch; home- made soup and sandwiches. The students gain much needed work experience and confidence whilst the visitors gain great grub plus an insight into the work of the school and its students. So why not pop along and share their vision.

March 16, 2017