Suzia – Café Link Training Centre
Suzia 'There are things you can learn by theory and then there are things you learn in practice and by interaction, you need to come to know people'

After completing a course in Special Needs Education Suzia was looking to gain some practical experience in this area and began to volunteer in Café Link Training Centre in January of this year. Café Link provides training to young adults with learning disabilities in a variety of areas including Catering, Computers and Literacy. 

Suzia usually works one to one doing crafts and literacy during her day. As a literacy assistant she provides support, prompts, praise and encouragement which acts to gently balance the learning environment.  She told me that consistency in her volunteer work has been crucial and has been the most important factor in gaining such valuable practical work experience. 

She went on to say that coming in every week and maintaining her commitment has meant that she has had the opportunity to create and build meaningful relationships with people attending the centre. She told me that sometimes just being present is all that is needed on difficult days. 

When describing her motivations behind getting involved in volunteer work with learning disability Suzia said, 'There are things you can learn by theory and then there are things you learn in practice and by interaction, you need to come to know people.'

She also stressed the need for people to really consider what their goals are in carrying out volunteer work and to really ask themselves why they want to do it. This will allow for a greater commitment and ultimately a more meaningful experience of volunteer work for all involved.

 

Café Link provides both a supportive and open learning environment for volunteers. Staff are always on hand, as well as offering encouragement to try out new things. Suzia has used these opportunities to develop her own personal skills and creative ideas and put them into action. This, she feels, has provided her with real learning that she will certainly use in her future career.

 

The centre has lots of potential to involve others doing training in catering, according to Suzia, with added benefits of trainees gaining experience working with disability and greater social awareness for those in the catering industry.

Suzia’s volunteer work has provided her with invaluable learning which she perfectly summed up by saying …”behind every condition is a personality…I have improved myself as a human being...and I have more awareness now."From speaking to Suzia it’s clear that she chooses to see ability and not disability.

 
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