Community cafe opens to give adults with learning disabilities ‘chance to shine’

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

A new community café has opened to give adults with learning disabilities a “chance to shine”.

Camouflage Café, a new community café that staffs young people with learning disabilities in Arnott Close, Thamesmead, has started trading last week after its grand opening in April.

Kemi Madumere, 49, started the café last month alongside her partner Chris Madumere, 48, as part of their charity Brighter Futures.

Since opening, Ms Madumere said she has been amazed by the distance people have travelled to visit the Thamesmead café.

She said: “It’s nice for us, but I think it’s nicer for our young people because it just gives them a chance to shine for once when nobody ever really listened.

“People aren’t patient enough to listen, because maybe they’re not as fast as processing. But suddenly it’s an opportunity for them to speak because it’s their turn.”

The concept of opening a café in the area came after seeing an ad for the space in a local newspaper, which would allow individuals to learn how to travel to work, become danger aware, handle money and serve customers.

Ms Madumere said: “One of the biggest areas we’re specialists in is that we are known for looking after adults with learning disabilities with challenging behaviour.

“What we’ve observed, and I’m no expert, is that usually, the behaviour is because there’s nothing to do.

“I need lots of energy, I need lots of things to do. So it’s the same with these individuals, but when you go into the community and try and engage them in things, people don’t let them in or it isn’t suitable.”

She added: “We wanted it to be a real café serving real people, but ultimately the idea behind that was we train young people so they can go on and work somewhere else, so they wouldn’t stay here permanently.”

Ms Madumere said the community’s reception to the café has been both “warm” and “emotional”.

She said the space has also found support from Greenwich council and Peabody, who own the Moorings Sociable Club where the café is based and has provided a three-year rent-free lease.

Ms Madumere said she would like to start hosting events in the café as it becomes more popular, as well as find a new dedicated space for the charity headquarters.

Looking towards the future, the co-founder said she hopes to see the idea rolled out in different boroughs across London.

Greenwich Mayor Leo Fletcher  said in a statement: “This wonderful café is supporting our mission to ensure everyone in our borough has access to good employment by offering a platform for adults with learning disabilities to do fulfilling work, to contribute and gain skills in the workplace.

“I encourage everyone to come and enjoy great coffee and food, while supporting this new local business.”

Pictured top: Kemi Madumere, 49, started the Camouflage Cafe as part of the Brighter Futures charity (Picture: Joe Coughlan)