Young adults brew coffee and confidence on barista programme

“The training not only imparted technical skills but also boosted confidence and social engagement, offering each participant a tangible step towards future employment or volunteering in a café or hospitality environment,” said Debbie Rees, assistant director of community services and employment at Kisharon Langdon.

Suzi Philip, a volunteer at Finchley Reform Synagogue, delivered the training, after enrolling on a course herself to learn how to teach people with learning disabilities.

Barista course participants receive certificates (Photo: Grainge Photography)[Missing Credit]

Taking place over several weeks, Suzi, alongside volunteer Lucy Weiner, led twice-weekly hands-on sessions with six young Kisharon participants, teaching them everything from the origins of coffee beans to mastering the coffee-making equipment including espresso machines, tampers and milk-frothing pitchers. By the end of their experience, the participants were able to make a full menu of coffee drinks, including espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites, receiving certificates for their efforts.

Kisharon Langdon participant Shammai said he left the course feeling “very happy” and added: “I’m ready to make coffees for everyone!”

Suzi said: “What a privilege it has been to be a part of this initiative and to have met such interesting and enthusiastic young people.”

Kisharon Langdon said the hope was that schemes like this became the norm, rather than the exception.