Winner: Saol Café, Galway City

Summary
The Institute of Lifecourse and Society (ILAS) NUI Galway and SCCUL (St Columba’s Credit Union Ltd) Enterprises CLG have joined forces to establish the first community based social inclusion café to exist on a higher education campus in Ireland. The café gives employment to people traditionally marginalised from employment opportunities, including people with disabilities. Partnership approaches towards recruitment were developed in collaboration with employment partner, Employability Galway, and other disability support services. The café concept has been developed following a consultation process with those inside and outside of the university, creating a structure that meets both community need and market demand. Saol (meaning Life in Irish) welcomes all to the ILAS foyer with good coffee, fresh locally produced food and a warm social space. It is hoped that the Saol model will drive social enterprise, partnership approaches and inclusive employment practices throughout.
Group Contact: Michael Smyth [email protected]

Citation
This community enterprise provides an essential environment which gives employability to people traditionally marginalised from employment opportunities, including people with disabilities. The judges were highly impressed by very professional and concise presentations. This is the first social enterprise café to exist on a higher education campus in Ireland.