If you come to The Tuckshop on a Wednesday morning from 9 to 11am, you’ll meet some of Lismore’s finest new baristas and chefs in training.

The Tuckshop is the new cafe and education centre run by CASPA – one of Lismore’s child welfare and care services providers.

The difference at The Tuckshop to other cafes, is that the staff are all young people who come from trauma backgrounds – and now are learning on the job as they receive support to make their way into a future of employment.

CASPA chief executive Naarah Rodwell said The Tuckshop been two years in the making, and is funded by two grants.

“The training program for the kids started about six months ago,” she said.

“Here, we have therapeutically trained staff who know how to support them to get their skills up.

“These kids come from trauma backgrounds and the everyday environment is not always suitable for them.

“We have partnerships with other training agencies who come into the education centre and run courses here.

“It also exposes the community to what we are doing here.

Naarah said the kids and staff are also doing internal catering for events as well.

“That creates a funding stream to help us give kids more opportunities to work and learn new skills,” she said.

Caz, 13, has been learning skills at The Tuckshop for two months now. She takes Wednesday mornings off school and helps out on the till, making coffee or food.

“I’m still in the process of learning and it’s really fun learning how to make coffees,” she said. “My sister is a barista in town and I’d like to be a great barista too.

“I have social anxiety and it’s good for me to be able to deal with the public in this job. It’s also great to meet other CASPA kids here.”

Mel, one of the educators at The Tuckshop said Tuckshop Wednesday was so popular with young people that they have a roster system so they can all get an opportunity to come and be here.

“They really engage in learning and have a wonderful time gaining skills and connecting to others.”

“This environment is important to support kids appropriately.”

Wednesday morning is currently the only day open to the public. The Tuckshop is located at 15 Keen Street, near the Lismore Cinemas and the church.