Vacancies

Our Barn Community is a small charity (registration number 1181421) based at locations in Brentford and Isleworth, and runs community-based activities providing learning, life skills and social interaction for young people aged between 16 and 35 with learning disabilities or other conditions such as autism. We have an ethos that everyone, regardless of labels, has something to contribute to their community and our purpose is to provide support to develop those skills in the young people who use our services.

We have entered into a partnership with the London Museum of Water & Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford to provide a barista-style coffee shop and community space, serving the local community as well as Museum visitors. The footfall to the Museum is not sufficient to make any café commercially successful but the café is fully equipped with an independent coffee shop vibe, making it a perfect low-pressure training ground for our young people. The Museum is a former pumping station for Thames Water that is run now as an independent museum. Busy periods are school holidays and half terms. There is potential for additional hours during these busy periods, but this is by negotiation.

Pump & Grind Coffee Shop Shift Leader

We have two Shift Leader roles:

• a fixed rota of Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 4pm
• and a weekend and school holidays flexible rota, 9am to 4pm

Hourly pay (London Living Wage): £11.05ph, five weeks paid annual leave, pension

The coffee shop is currently open Thursday through to Sunday and seven days a week during school holidays.

We are looking for individuals with experience in the hospitality sector, who work well in a team, have an adaptable approach, and are familiar with food safety practices. The successful applicants will help increase popularity, boost customer engagement and help turn our cafe into a favourite local spot.

The Shift Leader role will combine the day-to-day operations in the coffee shop with supporting vulnerable young adults (our candidates) to thrive and learn in this sector, including gaining excellent customer service skills. Pump & Grind’s menu focuses on excellent tea and coffee and a small selection of healthy foods made on the premises with high quality ingredients. Our menu is currently under review to ensure it can be delivered by our candidates.

Shift Leader responsibilities include working with the Manager to order supplies such as coffee, milk and snacks, as needed, recording daily expenses and revenues and. Leaders should be able to demonstrate experience in coffee shop, familiarity with the barista role, and be available to work during opening hours.

You will work alongside a work experience Manager who will identify, and recruit supported work experience candidates, develop training (adapted as necessary) and transition participants into supported work or long-term volunteering. You will be joining a brilliant team and be supported by the Manager and CEO to develop organisation-specific skills.

Main responsibilities

• Supporting the candidates to feel safe and learn

• Lead day-to-day operations of the café, including maintaining excellent food hygiene
• Support candidates on drinks preparation and proper use of coffee equipment
• Coordinate with the Manager to order supplies, as needed (like takeaway cups, coffee, milk and other ingredients)
• Assist in maintaining records of daily revenues and expenses
• Ability to use an electronic till, including daily reconciliation
• Deliver excellent customer service
• Ensure all cafe areas are clean and tidy
• Nurture friendly relationships with customers, the Museum team and other partners to increase loyalty and boost our reputation
• Work effectively and safely with other team members
• Support the development of Our Barn Community as a whole, including contributing to the delivery of other projects

Person Specification

Essential:

• Work experience in a catering or hospitality environment
• Level 2 Food Safety qualification, or ability to undertake training to this level
• Coffee shop experience
• Digital till and cash handling skills
• The ability to maintain a healthy working environment
• Availability to work within opening hours
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work in a team
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to build rapport with staff and customers alike, to find solutions to problems or disputes
• Ability to plan and organise own workload

 Desirable:

• Barista skills
• Knowledge on issues affecting young people in London
• Lived or work experience of supporting people with a learning disability or autism
• Ability to contribute to the development of the coffee shop, and maximise the benefits of our point of sale

Send CV and covering letter to: community@ourbarn.org.uk

Closing date: 5^th March 22