Mum launches café to create jobs for young people with additional support needs in West Dunbartonshire

Just like any 18-year-old at this time of year, Jack is getting ready to leave high school behind.

He was diagnosed with autism 14 years ago and goes to a specialist additional support needs school – but mum Angie now worries what his future will hold.

She said: “It is a worrying time. Jack is our oldest child so for us this is all new and it seems like it’s went by in the blink of an eye from when he started primary school to now being 18 and leaving school.

“When I left school, I went to college. That’s what you did, that was your next step. That was pretty much a given.

“And I just assumed that would be the same for Jack. But after having the transition meeting to find out that that wasn’t the case I felt so lost and alone.”

After a transition meeting with Jack’s school, Angie was left “shocked and frustrated” by the lack of higher education and employment opportunities which would be available for her son.

While some do exist, the options for catered college courses which would be manageable with Jack’s additional needs are “few and far between”.

She added: “I get when a young person’s on the spectrum – and it’s such a wide spectrum – I can imagine it could be really difficult to tailor to all the various parts of the spectrum.

“But we found that nothing really suited Jack and his needs. I just feel that there’s not the same opportunities that there is for neurotypical people, and again, it’s just really unfair.”

Angie is now in the process of launching a café, called Spectrum Coffee, which would be specifically tailored to employ and train Jack and others like him.

Spectrum Coffee opening in West Dunbartonshire. STV News

Angie said: “We have decided that we will open a coffee shop in our local area, serving high quality coffee, and locally sourced cakes and providing our local community with a unique experience, they will be able to see first hand the work we do and who we support.”

A crowdfunder to help boost the project has already gathered over £1,800 and Angie has had support from the local community in West Dunbartonshire.

She hopes the doors could be open by this summer and would have sit-in and takeaway options.

“It’ll be really good to be able to provide employment and training opportunities. And just be able to offer a safe space to people like Jack. For them to feel empowered and nurtured and happy.”

She added: “This is this is the rest of his life – this is massive.

“While Jack does have some difficulties – he’s definitely capable given the right support.”