A brew-tiful partnership

A new coffee shop employing people with intellectual disabilities has put down roots in UCC!

It’s a Cope Foundation concept which is part of a wider drive to make Cork Ireland’s inclusion capital.

Called Roots at UCC, the coffee shop was formally opened in UCC’s new student centre, The Hub, this week.

The collaboration between the organisation and UCC means more people with intellectual disabilities or autism can look forward to joining the workforce with confidence.

UCC developed the relationship following the success of Roots Coffee House in Beechhill Garden Centre and have worked closely with Cope Foundation to replicate that success in The Hub.

Cope Foundation’s Chief Executive Sean Abbott said: “We first opened Roots Coffee House in Beechhill Garden Centre in Montenotte, and it has been a runaway success. We were delighted that UCC wanted to collaborate.

“The Roots Coffee House concept has clearly demonstrated that intellectual disability and/or autism should not be a barrier to joining the workforce, and the staff at Roots at UCC have already proved it is a very professional, forward-thinking coffee shop that can compete with the best.”

Professor John O'Halloran, Deputy President and Registrar at UCC said: “Diversity and inclusion are some of the core values at UCC and we are thrilled to partner with Cope to enable us to live and learn our values to the full.”