A local school café has been named one of the top 10 cafés and restaurants in Warwick.

The Evergreen Community Book Café in the town, was awarded the certificate from Restaurant Guru for its community impact, quality of service and inclusive employment. 

The café, ran by Evergreen School, provides work experience for young people with special educational needs and disabilities to help them build independence and professional skills where they can interact with the public in a familiar and safe setting.

It is not only a learning space for the students, but for the Warwick public also. 

A dedicated selection of books and toys create a stress-free environment for parents with young children, and the location makes it a key spot for older residents, as it steers away from the noise of high-street chain cafés. 

Gerada Berger-Byrne, Café Manager and Job coach at Evergreen School, said: "This award is a real testament to the professionalism, commitment and skill our young people bring to the café every day.  They play a vital role in delivering a welcoming, high-quality service, and their contribution Is what makes the café such a success. 

"We are proud of what they achieve, not just in developing skills, but in the genuine value they add to their community."

The school recognises that nationally, employment rates for people with learning disabilities remain significantly lower than for the wider disabled population which means that there are less opportunities for many young people with special educational needs to find a job. 

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By providing a real-world setting with hands on experience for students, a platform for these young people is provided to break barriers.