"Do You See Me?" — A Question We Take Seriously at Mahaba Café

This week is Learning Disability Week, and the theme is simple but powerful: “Do you see me?”

It’s a question people with learning disabilities are often left asking — in shops, on the bus, and yes, in cafés too. At Mahaba, it’s a question we try to answer every day with a genuine yes, not just in words, but through action.

We’re Not Just Serving Coffee. 

Mahaba Café exists to create meaningful jobs for people with learning disabilities and autism. Not as a gesture, not to tick a box, but because we believe everyone deserves to have equal opportunities. 

Some of our team members had never been offered a proper job before. Not because they couldn’t do the work, but because employers didn’t take the time to look beyond assumptions.

When we say “Do you see me?” at Mahaba, we’re talking about recognising people’s value as workers, teammates, and members of the community.

Our advisory board is a great example of this, made up of Mahaba café graduates and current learners. The board inputs and guides on the look and feel of the new premises, our fundraising efforts, PR and social media outreach, and more widely, how the Mahaba Café brand is represented in the local community. 

Training at Mahaba Cafe:

Our training programme is all about building confidence and independence in real-life retail and café settings. By the time the learners finish, they have practical skills under their belt and, we hope, self-belief in buckets to move forward.

We’ve also set up something called the Unlocking Employment Programme — a follow-on step to help each graduate find the right job after their traineeship. It’s our way of making sure no one’s left wondering, what now?

We’re here to help our graduates land meaningful, long-term roles. By teaming up with like-minded employers, we make the move into work smoother, not just for the young person, but for the business too.

People with learning disabilities want to and have every right to be part of everyday life in their community.

Seeing Someone Starts with Slowing Down

When you visit Mahaba, you might wait an extra minute for your flat white. You might be served by someone who communicates a bit differently. That’s not a problem, it’s the point.

When we pay attention, we start to really see people. We notice their warmth, their reliability, their humour, and their pride in a job done well.

And that’s what Learning Disability Week is about.

Pop by this week — or any week — and be part of a space where everyone matters.

#LearningDisabilityWeek2025