Our Internships

We are recruiting interns now and we want you. Click here!

Our Vision

Fulfilling lives for people with learning disabilities

Supported Internships

Of course, we never lose sight of why Mission EmployAble (MEA) is so unique. We train young adults, aged 18-25 with a learning disability, to become employable. Our interns come from the surrounding areas of Herts and Bucks, and commit to the supported internship programme in conjuction with the Bucks College Group.

They will be trained by a wonderful team headed up by training manager, Cass Langham, within our training centre based in the Café on The Common, Chorleywood.

Our current interns are stunning us with their skills, enthusiasm and commitment to the programme. Best of all, they are clearly enjoying their on-the-job training inside the café and other outside work experiences that are part of their work employability training course.

Could You Employ One Of Our interns?

Employers tell us that adults with a learning disability are hard-working, reliable, eager to please and popular with both colleagues and customers. All they need is a sympathetic employer and some initial support in their role. With our help, you can easily become a ‘disability friendly’ employer. You will soon see that employing a young adult with a learning disability is as rewarding for you as it is for them.

If you think you can offer permanent part-time paid work, up to 20 hours, to one of our interns once they finish their training in July, click here to view the flyer, or please contact: claudine.hall@missionemployable.co.uk

Our Vision

Our vision is ‘fulfilling lives for people with learning disabilities’. We believe in people with learning disabilities leading fulfilled lives by reaching their full potential, being afforded opportunities to train and be employed, being valued in the workplace and playing an active role in their local community.

MEA is a social enterprise charity working in partnership with The Chorleywood Cricket Club, located on Chorleywood Common. The shared ambition of MEA and the Chorleywood Cricket Club was to build a new cricket pavilion on the existing site. In October 2022, the building was finished and MEA and the Cricket Club gained accesss to the new pavilion.

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Café

Café on The Common is the training facility for MEA. It is staffed by people with learning disabilities, Monday to Friday, as they work to a college timetable. At weekends the café is staffed by young adults from the local community.

Our interns are being taught catering skills, front-of-house and general work skills, to prepare them for paid work.

We invite local businesses to engage with us so that they can see for themselves what our future candidates are capable of doing and what benefits they could bring to their businesses and to the local community. Why don't you pop into the café and see for yourself.

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Training

Our Café provides a bespoke and supported employment scheme for young adults with learning disabilities. Each candidate completes a Learning, Employment and Progression Diploma in affiliation with the Bucks College Group.

Candidates cover core units such as Communicating Effectively with Customers, Food and Hygiene Safety, and working with the Global Bridge Group, which is a pioneering EdTech platform that connects young people and education with employers, apprenticeships and universities. In addition, some of our bespoke units include crossing roads for pedestrians, using money for shopping, and understanding bus and train timetables to get access to work. These units are delivered alongside in-house work placements at our Café.

The in-house work placements provide a perfect opportunity for candidates to learn new skills in a real work environment. They also allow candidates to build their confidence in a safe work environment, where making mistakes is seen as a valuable part of the learning process. This part of the work programme is underpinned by the systematic instruction process.

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News

£1000

West Watford Golfing Society Donates To Chorleywood Training Charity

Posted: 25th October 2024

When the chair of West Watford Golfing Society (WWGS) and his wife dropped into Chorleywood's Café On The Common recently, they thought they were just there for lunch.

In fact, outgoing WWGS chair Mike Kerrigan was so impressed by the café's 'backstory' that he decided to donate £1000 from WWGS to Mission EmployAble, the charity that runs Café On The Common as a training centre for young adults with learning disabilities.

Mike and Pauline learned about Mission EmployAble's supported internships, which prepare interns for paid work.

"I saw immediately that this initiative aligned perfectly with WWGS's values of giving back to the community by supporting small local charities," said Mike Kerrigan of his decision to donate.

Mike returned to the café with incoming WWGS chair Robert Benson to meet Mission Employable Trustee Erica Bendall, who said: "We all express our heartfelt thanks to WWGS for their generosity, which will go towards new equipment in the café's kitchen."

"We are also grateful to Pauline Kerrigan for giving a huge amount of knitting wool to Chorleywood WI, who used it to make amazing presents for Café On The Common's gift corner."

Calling all Disability Confident Employers

Posted: 19th July 2024

£200

Paws For A Cause: IT Firm Brings Dogs To Work

Posted: 3rd July 2024

Most people have heard of Bring Your Daughter To Work Day, an initiative to encourage girls to consider professions where women are under-represented, but one Herts company went a step further by allowing employees to bring their dog into the office for one day, in return for a donation to a charity.

Minerva IT Services, which is based in Potters Bar, opened its doors to canine friends of all shapes and sizes on its first Paws For A Cause Day in June, raising more than £200 for Chorleywood charity MEA.

Victoria Livingston, marketing manager for Minerva said: 'I am always looking for new ways to help the community and when I heard that [Minerva director and Chorleywood Cricket Club member] John Chadwick was involved with MEA's dog-friendly café in Chorleywood, I came up with Paws For A Cause.'

John Chadwick said: 'Everyone brought in their dogs, who happily wagged their tails, which had a positive impact on the team, who couldn't stop smiling all day.'

MEA Café On The Common manager Annie Baker said: "We know that sound well, a combination of people laughing and the odd dog bark, fills our café, every day."

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£6,400

'Under the Stars': A Resounding Success

Posted: 19th June 2024

We are thrilled to announce that our recent fundraiser a music quiz night under the stars was a resounding success, raising an incredible £6,400 for our cause. The event took place on a beautiful Friday night, with supporters gathering for a night of quiz, music and dancing.

The atmosphere was electric as teams competed in the quiz, showcasing their knowledge and having a great time. The night was filled with laughter, friendly competition, and a sense of community as everyone came together to support their local charity, MEA.

We are truly grateful to all of our supporters who attended the event and contributed to its success. Your generosity will make a significant impact on our cause, allowing us to continue our important work and make a difference in the lives of our interns.

Thank you to everyone who helped make our fundraiser ME quiz night under the stars a night to remember. Your support means the world to us, and we are so grateful for each and every one of you. Here's to many more successful events in the future!

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Volunteer With Us

Posted 4th June 2024

We're Recruiting!

Posted 15th May 2024

Trainers

We are looking for additional full-time and part- time trainers due to the growing success of the programme. Must have an understanding of young people with learning disabilities, and experience in Maths and English either as a teacher/tutor/higher level teaching assistant.

Volunteers

In particular, we are looking for café hosts for weekdays and weekends - no experience needed, and volunteers to join our Training and Fundraising teams.

Café Supervisor

A part-time opportunity for anyone with excellent people skills and experience in supervising.

For further details click here. To register your interest, please contact: v.rousseau@missionemployable.co.uk

Bluebell Walk & Pop-Up Woodland Café

Posted 4th March 2024

A Family Day Out & Afternoon Teas

"The seas of bluebells were quite magical, especially when the sun broke through the pale green of the tree canopy." - Rachel Hatfield

Location:
Crosslane Wood, Burtons Lane, Chalfont St. Giles
Dates:
Sunday 5th May, 11am-4pm
Monday 6th May, 10am-3pm

Tickets:
£28 Family Ticket
£10 Adult Ticket
£6 Concessionary ticket for over 60’s
Children under 12 FREE

Tickets: Sunday
Tickets: Monday
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£230

Mercer & Hole raise £230 with their Staff Cake Sales

Posted 11 April 2024

Thanks to Mercer & Hole, who have chosen MEA as their Charity of the Year, for raising £230 over the Easter Holidays with their Staff Cake Sales.

£1,236

Support Simon Elson

Update 12 April 2024

Local resident Simon Elson is running the Southampton marathon in April, 2024, to raise money for our charity.

"MEA is an incredible organisation and a real asset to the local community," said Simon. "I cannot think of a worthier cause to raise money for."

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‘Under The Stars’ Music Quiz Night

Updated: 13th March 2024

Join us for a Magical Musical Quiz Night under the twinkling stars in a marquee set in stunning grounds, back by popular demand. Get ready for a night filled with music, good vibes and unforgettable memories. Remember to bring your own picnic feast. This is always a sell out event.

Date: Friday 14th June 2024
Gates Open: 7pm
Quiz Starts: 8pm
Ends: 10.30pm
Tickets: £16.00 per person (+booking fee)
Tickets: Tables for 8 or 10 people can be booked

Buy Tickets
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CHARITY
CHRISTMAS CARDS

Available in the Café and online
A choice of four designs
MEA Cards: Packs of 5 for £5.99
Joe's Cards: Packs of 10 for £8.00
White envelopes
Glitter-free
Responsibly sourced paper


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