A Wellington couple are putting everything into setting up a community cafe to help people with learning difficulties gain new life skills.
Pat and Bev McCarthy, from King Street in Wellington, had applied for planning permission to transform the former Black Horse pub, on the same street, into a bed and breakfast for people with learning difficulties.
They have now added proposals for a cafe to the application.
The couple say they are passionate about getting the project, called Moving Forward, off the ground and have remortgaged their home in order to fund the venture.
Mr McCarthy has around 13 years experience with working in this field and his wife is also a qualified social worker.
For the last 10 years the McCarthy’s have welcomed three adults with learning disabilities into their family and believe this project is the next step.
“The adults we have have been with us for years,” Mrs McCarthy said. “They have been part of the family for the past 10 years and we have three living with us at the moment.
“I also had a friend who worked with learning difficulties and so the project evolved from there.”
The couple, who have two children, hope their venture will give people the chance to develop skills in budgeting, bill paying, cooking, shopping, cleaning, job hunting and personal skills. They would also be encouraged to follow their goals and gain new interests.
The original planning application submitted to Telford and Wrekin Council is for five ensuite bedrooms, a communal area, a large kitchen, dining area, a sitting room and a gym.
And the McCarthys recently resubmitted the application to include a community cafe. They hope this will be used by New College students and the community.
The pair believe they will have to spend around £260,000 on the project.
Mr McCarthy said: “There are not many projects like this available in the area. We have invested a lot of money in this personally. A lot of personal money has gone into this.
“We have got this idea for a community cafe. We want to give work experience through the cafe. The pub has a really nice kitchen, a proper catering kitchen.
“This isn’t for profit but social enterprise but we hope to cover costs. We want the cafe to be open to everybody and we want it to be vibrant.”
The former pub, which already has three bedrooms upstairs, will be kitted out with new furniture and facilities.
Mr McCarthy would like to see the project completed within three to four months - if given the go ahead by planning officials.