The Deer Shed Cafe

Alfreton Park School places a huge emphasis on developing life skills crucial for pupils after they leave school, but there is little or no expectation that pupils will be able to live an independent life. It is thought that fewer than 2500 people with learning difficulties are in paid employment. This is an appalling statistic. We understand how important our occupations are in the way we, and others view ourselves. These students have immense talents, skills and given the barriers they have already had to contend with in their lives, they have the determination to succeed, but they need your help!

The school needs to raise £250K in order to convert a currently derelict building, known as The Deer Shed, into a successful cafe and shop. This Deer Shed Cafe holds the key to these young people’s futures. It will provide a place where they can gain valuable work experience, build confidence and learn skills which they can take to their lives. It is the Deer Shed's ambition that young people with learning difficulties are able to define themselves by what they do and not by the label they have been given. This cafe will also be an important resource for the local community as it will be used by families visiting the new playground facilities, park users and people going to the swimming pool.