Café Sobar – We’re nominated!

Café Sobar are delighted to have been chosen as a finalist in the 2017 Nottingham Restaurant and Bar Awards, in the ‘Best Front of House Team’ category! We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who votes for us in this year’s awards, we really think our Front of House team deserves this amazing award and hope you do too!

As you may or may not know, we are a social enterprise which means all profits go directly back into the Double Impact charity, helping to fund the services needed to support people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. What people may not know about Café Sobar is the volunteering opportunities on offer to Recovery Recruitment members. We aim to provide the opportunity to gain valuable experience as a member of the front of house team at Café Sobar.The scheme has helped shape our amazing Front of House team who serve you every day!

Take a look at our Barista Matt’s story:

“I knew about the café having spent many hours there drinking coffee and drawing. It is a relaxing place to be and I warmed to the idea of learning to make different types of coffee and chatting to the customers. I spoke to the Manager, Jason, who explained that I would be part of the volunteering program they had created. Starting at a few hours a week so as not to overwhelm me I began my training in the varied aspects of the Hospitality and Catering Industry.

Café Sobar is a friendly, exciting and at times extremely busy environment to be in. The staff really held my hand during those first few weeks and were understanding and patient while I grew in confidence. Of course there were times when I became overwhelmed and frustrated due to my lack of experience working in a fast paced environment, but I was always given plenty of encouragement and guidance. Before too long I was taking customers’ orders, handling money, serving food and learning how to make the perfect latte.

The more hours I did the more I felt I was becoming a valued member of the team, able to handle any aspect of the role. After a couple of months I had progressed to volunteering 2 full days a week and had been given the opportunity to advance my skills with additional courses in food safety and food hygiene and advanced Barista training at 200 degrees.

Without Café Sobar, Double Impact and all the services available to people with substance misuse, homelessness and mental health issues I wouldn’t be sitting here today full of gratitude and hope for the future, and a cup of coffee from Café Sobar.”