Prestwich’s Barley Café offers users of local substance misuse centres and people recovering from addiction a pathway into full time employment. It has already generated 5 full time job offers in just one year of trading. The firm, a social enterprise, was launched by Susan Smith and daughter Laura in 2016, supported by a Start-Up Loan from responsible finance provider, Business Finance Solutions.
Susan and Laura had both spent many years working in Social Care, and were looking to utilise their experiences in launching a business that made an active difference to their local community.
Their recovery-focussed approach supports people to gain job experience, undergo training and build up their CV. They move towards a better chance of employment and independent living, enhancing self-esteem and confidence in a supportive environment. Barley Café also runs sessions aimed solely at young mothers, and carries out wellbeing and smoking cessation events.
