A new name and location for a cafe run by neurodivergent young adults has them excited.
Arofa Cafe has become Arofa Koha Cafe. It has moved from Flashbacks restaurant to the nearby Base Youth Centre at 193 Burnett St.
The doors open on Monday.
The cafe is a service run by Ashburtonbased peer-led support group Takiwa ¯tanga Whakatere (in their own time and space).
Co-founder Celia Colcord said the group decided to continue the cafe when it moved, as the community made it clear they wanted it to continue.
The young people who made the food and coffees had enjoyed their cafe experience so far, and wanted to continue using and developing their hospitality skills, she said.
The new cafe will use food from Food Rescue Aoraki.
The food on offer will depend on what has come in through the rescue programme and will be provided for a koha.
Along with operating the cafe, the young adults are making lunches for staff and students at the alternative education programme run by Base.
‘‘We make things like pasta bake with cheese sauce. We are very strict on food safety and health and safety,’’ Colcord said.
The group will also make food for an after-school youth drop-in centre run from Base.
Colcord said everyone had coped well with the move, which involved their whole programme.
‘‘Upstairs (above The Ashburton Courier) we have our neuro hub that people can drop into, a sensory room that anyone can use, a knitting circle making beanies, an art group.’’
Takiwa ¯tanga Whakatere, operating since 2018, supports neurodiverse individuals through inclusion, connection, and practical community pathways including programmes for youth aged 13- 17 and young adults 18-29.
CCS Disability Action support worker Helmut Hahm said he and his client, who was one of the neurodivergent young adults, liked the new space.
‘‘I am very impressed with the set up, with the quiet room and the communal area,’’ Hahm said.
Along with the new cafe and space the group has launched a website this week.
– Arofa Koha Cafe opens on Monday and will be open Mondays and Tuesdays 9am to 2pm at Base Youth Centre, 193 Burnett St.
