The latest project from the Bosco Centre in Bermondsey is a community cafe in the Docklands Settlement, serving delicious food and real coffee at affordable prices, while giving work skills and experience to young people with special educational needs.

The Bosco Centre was founded three decades ago by Sr Cecily Dunn, who died three years ago today (24 May 2016), and the cafe is the project of the current director, Darren Coghlan.

The trainee chefs and cafe helpers are recruited by the Bosco Centre, and trained and mentored by manager Jeanie. Every day, the team bakes scrumptious cakes and makes nourishing soups and fresh sandwiches to be sold at affordable prices to customers, who can relax and socialise in the pleasant cafe. There's even a dedicated play area to keep tiny customers entertained.

From its inception, the Bosco Centre has aimed is to break down barriers that prevent young people from learning, growing and achieving. At its home base on Jamaica Road, the Centre has a college for ages 16+, a nursery, and junior and senior clubs. The new internship programme offering supported placements to young people with learning difficulty, along with the cafe venture is breaking down the barriers that hold back young people who need additional support from accessing employment.

Boscoffee Cafe is located off Rotherhithe Street, and at the moment, it's open Monday - Friday from 9:30 to late afternoon. If possible, the cafe may extend its hours to include the weekend in the future.

Source: Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Community Magazine