Social Enterprise Launches To Support Brisbane Locals With A Disability

Aged Care and Community Services provider Lutheran Services has partnered with Mercy Community to launch a social enterprise – Cookery Nook – in Brisbane, providing new career pathways in the hospitality industry for people with an intellectual disability.

The Cookery Nook café will launch on Wednesday 20 December at Lutheran Services’ Alondra Residences in Nundah, offering tasty café meals, serving locals as well as residents of the Alondra retirement living community.

Through the partnership, Lutheran Services and Mercy Community are combining their expertise in disability support and healthcare to create meaningful employment and enhance the lives of those living with a disability. Cookery Nook employee, Nathan Russel, has been a Production Assistant at Mercy Community for 20 years and looks forward to his new front-of-house role leading the café service team.

Moving to the new site in Nundah, Nathan hopes to inspire a new generation of bakers, cooks and hospitality staff, opening career pathways for people with a disability. “Cookery Nook is a great place to work that has really helped me grow my self-esteem, confidence and sense of purpose,” said Nathan.

“Everyone is really friendly and supportive. If anyone ever needs help, we are there for each other. We’re all passionate about food and are dedicated to serving the local community.”

Nathan studied hospitality at high school and started at Cookery Nook following an apprenticeship at Baker’s Delight.

“It’s great to see new staff at Cookery Nook Nundah be offered the same opportunities I had. The new skills, experience, and confidence they’ll gain with us will be a valuable stepping-stone to other work in the hospitality industry and beyond,” said Nathan.

Lutheran Services CEO Nick Ryan says the collaboration is great news for Alondra Retirement Living residents, family and staff of the neighbouring Lutheran Services’ Zion Aged Care community.

“We are excited to partner with Mercy Community to launch Cookery Nook at Alondra Residences,” said Mr Ryan. “Cookery Nook is a wonderful and empowering enterprise that will give more people living with a disability the chance to develop their culinary skills, gain valuable work experience, and contribute to the local community in a meaningful way.

“This is also great news for residents, staff and families of our retirement living and neighbouring aged care community, with a new café opening on their doorstep.”

Cookery Nook at Alondra Residences is set to offer employment for up to 14 people. By creating a safe and nurturing work environment, Cookery Nook will facilitate skills development, boost self-confidence, and foster a sense of belonging.

Mercy Community CEO Justin Lorenz says that Cookery Nook aims to break down barriers and create a supportive environment that cultivates the potential in everyone living with a disability.

‘’Mercy Community and Cookery Nook offer a meaningful and unique service, creating job opportunities for those who may not have access to or the potential to gain employment in mainstream jobs,” said Mr Lorenz.

“By partnering with Lutheran Services, we believe the new Cookery Nook location will have a transformative impact on the lives of everyone involved.”

Lutheran Services and Mercy Community are thrilled about the partnership and the positive changes the new enterprise will bring to the lives of people living with a disability.

Since the 1970’s Cookery Nook has provided people living with a disability employment opportunities in safe, respectful, supported environments. The initiative allows these individuals to flourish by allowing them to form social connections and gain a newfound sense of purpose.

To learn more about Mercy Community and Cookery Nook, please visit https://mercycommunity.org.au/ or https://cookerynook.com.au/.