Ealing Project Coffee Shop Marks National Inclusion Week
Short film shown featuring work of Mahaba Café
Young adults with learning difficulties gain employment skills at the cafe. Picture: Cendrine Robert
September 26, 2024
A year after opening the coffee shop in the Ealing Project has been featured in a short film.
Premiered in National Inclusion Week, the film tells of the work that award winning social enterprise, Mahaba Café, does with for young adults with special educational needs, disabilities and autism. Mahaba is a Swahili word for Love.
The café’s founder and Executive Director Muriel Morgan Walckiers is asking local businesses to think again about young people with special educational needs, disabilities and autism and provide employment opportunities for them as part of #EalingInclusionRevolution .
and is calling on Ealing businesses to join the Ealing Inclusion Revolution.
The film, which was produced and directed by journalist Séverine Dieudonné and filmed by Olivier Jourdain, looks at the way the café is bridging the employment inequality gap.
The director said, “Following a visit to Mahaba Café for coffee, it struck me that it was a wonderful place to be. It’s inclusive and loving; it’s like Mahaba is saying, ‘the world needs love’. The most loving choice you can make is to be part of the change you wish to see. If I can help take Mahaba Café one step further, I would be very happy.”
Mahaba Café Graduate Ibraheem says, “At Mahaba Café I feel confident and ready to go. I’m learning a lot. I’m also learning from my mistakes. I’m happy and I feel very fortunate to come here."
So far 22 people have graduated from the programme at the café having completed over 1,400 house of training. The aim is to double that number next year with a move to a new venue in Ealing.
Graduates of the scheme leave ready for employment elsewhere. Picture: Cendrine Robert
Participants have worked in placements at Mind, Reinata, Oscar’s Catering, The Questors Theatre, The Moon & Maybe and J&Y Café.
Muriel Morgan Walckiers says, “We are so proud and inspired by of all of young learners. This new short film beautifully tells their stories and showcases our vital work at Mahaba Café. I hope people will enjoy it as much as we do and watch and share.”
She quotes figures showing that 97.8% of adults with learning disabilities are unemployed in Ealing Borough and says this disparity highlights the need for change and greater inclusion in the workforce.
Mahaba Café’s opening times are Wednesday - Friday from 12pm- 3.30pm and it is based at The Ealing Project 1 High Street.
You can watch the film about Mahaba's work here.
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