The Green Kitchen and Garden Centre

December 17, 2018

In your own words, tell us about your project.
The Green Kitchen Cafe and Garden Centre is a social enterprise whose primary aim is to support people with intellectual disabilities and autism into training and employment. We also operate two polytunnels in Dublin 12. These provide training opportunites for Youth Reach and produce vegetables for use in our cafe. In 2018 12% of the produce used in the cafe came from our polytunnels. With the help of GIY we plan to increse this to 20% in 2019. This will reduce the use of single use plastics and transport miles from the purchase of goods from abroad thus reducing our carbon footprint.

Our cafe has introduced composable cups for the take away trade and offers reuse cups to our regular customers free of charge.

We also provide space for eighteen local community groups who use our building every week. In addition to this we provide a premises to Dublin 12 Mens Shed and Dublin 12 Community Radio free of charge.
Why did you do this work?
We believe that we have a responsibility to build social capital in our community and to do it in a sustainable way.

Statistics show that 70% of people with intellectual disabilities will never have a paid job. We want to demonstrate that people with intellectual disabilities can make a positive contribution to their communities when given an opportunity to do so. We believe that as equal citizens, people with disabilities have the same right to work as everyone else in the community

 
What was the impact or outcome of your project?
Since we opened in 2014 we have supported seventy two adults with intelelctual disabilities into paid employment.

We have also supported the opening of a Mens Shed who have 45 members.

38 young adults from Crumlin Youth Reach have obtained a QQI Level 5 qualification in Bee Keeping and Horticulture.
Do you have any tips or advice for similar projects?
As a social enterprise we have to make sure that the business is profitable. In the early years the focus needs to be on creating a sustainable enterprise.
Which Sustainable Development Goals does your work link to?
Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Location of Project
Dublin 12
Contact Person
Austin O'Sullivan
Email Address
Contact Number
087 2197355