Ards Hospital Cafeteria

GlynD

I had reason to be in Ards hospital yesterday and popped into the cafeteria for a sandwich and coffee and was pleasantly surprised to find out it's actually run as a day care centre for the disabled. They have three able bodied senior staff who run the business but the rest are all people with learning difficulties and mental illness.

There were quite a few Downs Syndrome adults at work. I don't know what experience anyone else has of DS but I usually find that people who born with this disability have a cheerful, happy disposition and enjoy being placed in a position of responsibility. Nor was I disappointed. They really seemed to relish being a part of it.

The icing on the cake was my food and drink. It was excellent and in my view probably better in quality and presentation than in quite a few other cafeterias run in public buildings.

I picked up a wee leaflet about the project and noted a similar scheme being run at the St Patrick's Centre, Downpatrick.

I think this is a wonderful idea and would support it being extended into other hospitals and public buildings. To see adults with limited possibilities in life having such a wonderful time providing a much needed service seems to be to be a good deployment of resources.

For anyone who's interested they have a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/daisiescafe

Bigcammy

Read yesterday that the hospital are planning to refurbish the entrance gatehouse and then make it new premises for Daisies cafe, so hopefully it will be better accommodation for them

motorguy

GlynD wrote: »

I had reason to be in Ards hospital yesterday and popped into the cafeteria for a sandwich and coffee and was pleasantly surprised to find out it's actually run as a day care centre for the disabled. They have three able bodied senior staff who run the business but the rest are all people with learning difficulties and mental illness.

There were quite a few Downs Syndrome adults at work. I don't know what experience anyone else has of DS but I usually find that people who born with this disability have a cheerful, happy disposition and enjoy being placed in a position of responsibility. Nor was I disappointed. They really seemed to relish being a part of it.

The icing on the cake was my food and drink. It was excellent and in my view probably better in quality and presentation than in quite a few other cafeterias run in public buildings.

I picked up a wee leaflet about the project and noted a similar scheme being run at the St Patrick's Centre, Downpatrick.

I think this is a wonderful idea and would support it being extended into other hospitals and public buildings. To see adults with limited possibilities in life having such a wonderful time providing a much needed service seems to be to be a good deployment of resources.

For anyone who's interested they have a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/daisiescafe

After your recent KwikFit incident after first couple of paragraphs i was concerned as to where this was going to go! :eek:

Joking aside, good to hear of this scheme and good to hear its delivering for both customers and staff. :beer:

GlynD

Bigcammy wrote: »

Read yesterday that the hospital are planning to refurbish the entrance gatehouse and then make it new premises for Daisies cafe, so hopefully it will be better accommodation for them

I'd never been to Ards hospital before but I can see much to refurbish. Parts of it are hanging asunder, but I thought the cafeteria was fine. Good size, well maintained.

motorguy wrote: »

After your recent KwikFit incident after first couple of paragraphs i was concerned as to where this was going to go! :eek:

Joking aside, good to hear of this scheme and good to hear its delivering for both customers and staff. :beer:

The Kwik Fit incident was a rarity. Despite my illness I am very much under control. I try to avoid certain situations though because I know how I react. It's just common sense.

My thanking the staff in this little cafeteria for doing an excellent job is more like the real me.