What's MadCap Cafe about? With Chisholm TAFE as Ermha’s partner, clients take part in a 20 week program of instruction. The first 10 weeks are devoted to life skills which include issues such as time management, presentation and communication. The second 10 weeks cover what clients need to know about food and beverages - preparation, hygiene, storage and more. Clients can then be employed at MadCap Café, taking on a certain number of hours each week.

So how is this venture different to other training – to – work programs? It is different because at every stage it recognises that the pace and timing of a client’s recovery can be unpredictable and that client-participants are at various stages on the journey. It has also been created with the understanding that people with a mental illness who aspire to meaningful work commonly need to rebuild trust – in others and the process.

And with the help of some of Melbournes best known chefs, the MadCap venture is now underway. George Calombaris (The Press Club, Maha), Raymond Capaldi (Locarno 150), Greg Malouf (MoMo), Rita Macali (Ladro founder) and Matteo Pignatelli (Matteo’s) are all on board as ambassadors who have agreed to lend their expertise.

Matteo Pignatelli joined us during the training of the initial group of clients and non-disabled staff prior to the informal opening of the Cafe. He shared some of his considerable knowledge of the hospitality industry and opened the door to trainees spending part of their training time at Matteo’s Restaurant in Brunswick, gaining valuable insights into the back of house work of a fine dining establishment.

Matteo, George Calombaris and Greg Malouf also attended the official opening of the Cafe which was launched by the Victorian Minister for Mental Health, The Hon Lisa Neville, on the 2nd October 2008. In launching the Cafe, Minister Neville recognised the socially inclusive significance of the venture and congratulated Ermha on its initiative and the boldness of this latest innovation in service approach.

At Ermha we have been able to observe firsthand the often life-changing result of becoming actively involved or re-engaged in the community which occurs when people reach that point in their recovery where they are ready to take on a form of activity that is meaningful to them. We have also witnessed the frustration of social exclusion and the many barriers and hurdles that confront our clients as they attempt to re-enter the workforce or undertake other vocational pursuits.

What has been created at MadCap Cafe is an accessible, predictable and welcoming environment which encourages the self-paced exploration of vocational opportunities. It offers a “no wrong step” approach and gradually builds competency and re-acquaints people with the daily tasks associated with a normal work life. It provides an approach that allows people to achieve their goals and to fail and perhaps stumble along the way. In other words, its “a safe place to take a risk”.

The project is still in its infancy and it will require many hours of diligent attention to detail to make the Cafe viable. With the good will that is evident amongst the client group and the Cafe’s customers, success, though not assured, is highly likely. Add in strong and enthusiastic leadership and we are optimistic about a bright future for the MadCap Cafe and Catering Venture.